Skipton 0 Wetherby 52

SKIPTON were always going to face a tough test against Yorkshire Four leaders Wetherby so the loss of key players to injury and unavailability was a big handicap.

Luke Stockton, the previous week's skipper and scorer of 21 points, was ruled out out with a dislocated thumb picked up in training while utility forward Paddy Murray was out with a dislocated knee and prop Ryan Binner was unavailable.

Wetherby, by contrast, according to their own website were fielding their strongest side so far this season and picked up an early try in the first two minutes.

In spite of this, Skipton gave the league leaders a run for their money and powerful work in reply by centre Liam Jordan and full back Matty Langstaff together with spirited forward work by No 8 Ben Hall took the home side up the pitch.

A poor last pass decision pegged Skipton back on their own line and two resultant penalties led to a pushover try for Wetherby.

Skipton again replied with strong forward play but some defensive errors gave a third try to Wetherby and the sides turned round at 21-0 in the visitors' favour.

The general comment from the home crowd in the grandstand at half-time was that Skipton's performance had been no disgrace against the league leaders.

This remained true throughout the second period with good early play by Skipton and some solid tackling, especially from centre Liam Jordan, but as the game wore on Wetherby's size and weight advantage began to tell.

They ran in five further tries, three of which were converted, to give a final score of 52-0 in their favour. With the season now at the halfway point Skipton continue their league campaign away at Knaresborough next week and are by no means out of the running for the second promotion place with just ten points separating them from second-placed Halifax.