Skipton secure promotion after nine-try win over Stanley Rodillians

SKIPTON secured promotion to Yorkshire Three with a nine-try win over Stanley Rodillians at Sandylands.

And it means they now face a title decider at second-placed Hemsworth in their final game on April 8.

Full back Matty Langstaff led the spree with a hat-trick of tries while centre Jamie Donnelly and winger Josh Smith each scored twice.

Just like the Yorkshire Silver Trophy semi-final the previous week, Skipton flew straight off the starting blocks with two tries in the first five minutes. The first was scored by Langstaff after just 30 seconds. Smith got the second two minutes later with stand-off Carl Paterson adding the extra points.

The visitors re-grouped and played the ball down field where they gained a penalty. Dissent from the home side gave them an extra 10 metres.

Skipton conceded a further penalty which Rodillians put into the corner and went over at close range from the line-out for an unconverted try.

Although conceding a further penalty in the next phase of play, Skipton stole the ball at the line-out and good forward work by prop Chris Wright put the back line away.

Centre Donnelly crossed for the first of his two tries following a superb off-load inside by Langstaff. Paterson again added the extra points and Skipton had the game sewn up after just 15 minutes.

Paterson put Smith away from the re-start and a break at pace by the winger ended in a penalty to Skipton.

The home side opted for the scrum and the ball went quickly down the back line with a last floated pass putting Currie over for try number four, gaining the bonus league point and securing promotion.

Another Paterson chip through from the re-start saw Smith collect the ball and off-load to Donnelly who crossed for his second try. Paterson added the extra points.

A Skipton penalty after the re-start did not find touch. Langstaff followed up but received a yellow card for an offence at the breakdown after tackling the Rodillians winger.

Rodillians knocked-on in the next play, giving Skipton the scrum. The ball went sweetly down the back line then back into the forwards as Wilson was rewarded with a try just before half-time.

Paterson added the extra points and the sides turned round with Skipton leading 38-5.

Scrum-half Sam Brearley fed Smith for an early break-away try in the second period. Paterson again converted to establish a 45-5 lead and the home crowd sat back in the Spring sunshine to enjoy the rugby.

Coach Dave Duxbury made some changes to the Skipton pack. Zak Bullock replaced Chris Sheehan at hooker and Luke Daniels replaced Charlie Brown in the back-row.

Rodillians tried to take the game back to Skipton and were awarded a penalty. They tapped and ran but Skipton recovered the ball after several phases of play and Langstaff cleared.

He followed that with an excellent pick-up of a loose Rodillians' ball and a 50 metre run in down the wing for try number eight.

Young George Marshall replaced Sam Brearley at scrum-half for the home side and he immediately spun the ball out down the back line from a line-out.

The ball reached Langstaff who had no trouble crossing for his third try and Skipton's ninth. Paterson added the extra points

Skipton had a last foray into Rodillians' 22 with Daniel chipping through for Currie but the ball was just out of the winger's reach and the final whistle sounded at 57-5 in the home side's favour.