Gazette Sport
Arundale is major doubt for Ilkley big cup tie
10:37am Thursday 16th February 2012
Indonesian international Kirk Arundale is a major doubt for Ilkley’s re-arranged National Intermediate Cup tie with Ashington at Stacks Field on Saturday.
The scrum half has an ankle injury and was unable to train with the squad on Tuesday.
Last Saturday’s postponement of the tie appeared to give Arundale fresh hope, but time may be against him.
Coach Rhys Morgan said: “If you ask Kirk he will tell you he is going to be ok.
“Kirk is always one who makes light of injuries and he proved me wrong last season when he managed to play in the Yorkshire Shield final when I thought he wouldn’t make it.
“We will assess his fitness with the physios and then decide what is best for both Kirk and the team.”
Youngsters Ryan Cooper and Jimmy Crowther are the two players who would be under consideration for the number nine shirt if Arundale is ruled out.
Ilkley also have a concern over experienced back row forward Neil Spence, but Liam Copsey is available again.
Ilkley go into the match knowing that they will qualify for the second round provided they avoid defeat.
A victory by 15 points of more will bring the additional benefit of a home tie.
But Morgan is going to stress to his players the need to focus on the prime objective which is winning the game.
“It is too easy to get carried away thinking that you have to throw the ball about to get the 15-point margin.
“We need to have our game heads on and play sensibly. Winning is important.It is paramount that we work at countering the strength of the Ashington pack and play a disciplined game .
“We need to play in the right areas and if we do that the points will come.
“It could be that we change tactics late in the game if we need to put on a few more points, but we have to be careful that we don’t make the mistake of chasing the game and forcing things early on.”
Ilkley were delighted to hear this week that the Yorkshire Under-20s match against Durham, called off last Sunday, will be re-staged at Stacks Field this Sunday.
The Dalesmen have re-arranged their home match with Heath, postponed on January 14, for next Saturday.