Halifax 14 Skipton 13

SO near and yet so far! Skipton's promotion chances took a dent with their defeat by the narrowest possible margin at Halifax.

Despite starting without Harry MacEneanie, who sustained a broken nose the previous week, Redver Stork-Flatley and skipper Ryan Binner, Skipton fielded a strong squad to take on second-placed Halifax in this crunch Yorkshire Four game.

In muddy, old style rugby conditions, Skipton almost conceded a first-minute try when the Halifax stand off intercepted a pass and only a spilled ball prevented him from scoring.

This was followed by a period of sustained pressure by Skipton, retaining possession for over 20 phases of play, but a penalty to Halifax for Skipton holding on gave the home side an early 3-0 lead.

Tremendous runs by former county player Connor Carver and Luke Currie set up a Skipton penalty for a similar offence a few minutes later but this was not converted.

A foray by Halifax into Skipton's 22 gave the home side's stand off a drop goal opportunity and he extended their lead to 6-0. Skipton's woe was compounded by a stolen ball from a maul by Halifax which saw them score a try to stretch their lead to 11-0.

From the re-start determined play put Skipton in a position where they forced a penalty under the posts. They opted for a scrum but no points were forthcoming and the sides turned round at 11-0.

Skipton started the second half with determination and good line-out ball put Carver over to reduce the deficit to 11-5. The try was not converted.

The home side replied with a further drop goal by their stand off to increase their lead to 14-5. Halifax sources say it was the first time this season he had used this tactic.

End to end stuff followed as Skipton replied with another penalty from stand-off Michael Mullins for repeated offside by Halifax. The home side soon infringed yet again, resulting in a yellow card.

Halifax were now rattled and suffered a series of penalties, including one for a shoulder charge compounded by talking back to the referee, from which Skipton prop Chris Wright took full advantage and bullocked over for a try. Again, the try was not converted and this was decisive.

Twice during the next period of play, scrum-half Stuart Barraclough secured excellent turn over ball and gave Skipton good field position through winger George Hall but the visitors just couldn't turn this into points and the final whistle blew at 14-13.

This was a game where Skipton had forward dominance but their undoing was the Halifax drop goals, the missed conversions and the failure to find touch from two simple penalty kicks.

Skipton's league campaign continues at Halifax again on Saturday, where this time they face Halifax Vandals.