Yorkshire Division Four: Skipton 41 Bramley Phoenix 7

A HAT-TRICK of tries for winger George Smithson and one each for Jamie Donnelly, Connor Carver and Harry McEneaney kept Skipton at the top of the division after a comfortable win over Bramley Phoenix.

The Reds were back in league action after a bye the previous week in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy, and determined forward play from the kick-off put the home side downfield, from which full back Matty Langstaff secured an early penalty to gain a 3-0 lead.

An interception in the next phase of play by Bramley spelt danger for Skipton, however, but the move was snuffed out by a robust tackle from Smithson.

A good take at the line-out and a rolling maul by Skipton's forwards led to the ball being spun out to Smithson, who went over for their opening try.

From the restart, Bramley gained a penalty on Skipton's 22 but the home side secured a turnover at the breakdown and put the ball downfield.

Hooker Chris Sheehan took the next scrum against the head and, following a forward drive, the ball was shipped out Smithson, who went over for try number two, Langstaff adding the extra points.

An excellent catch and return by Langstaff in the next phase of play put Smithson away again for his hat-trick and a carnival atmosphere developed among the home crowd, with Langstaff again tagging on the conversion.

Determined forward play from the restart gave Skipton a scrum just short of the visitors' line, and superb work by prop Chris Wright in his 100th appearance for the Reds' first string gave the home side a penalty.

They opted for another scrum again and the ball was moved swiftly out to Langstaff, who was held up just short, quick recycling and swift hands putting centre Donnelly over for the bonus point and a 27-0 half-time lead.

However, Skipton made heavy weather of the first 15 minutes of the second half, with several handling errors spoiling decent possession and allowing Bramley to run in a converted try in the corner.

But the hosts gained a penalty from the restart, opting for a scrum from which good handling gave Smithson another opportunity, only for him to be bundled into touch in the corner.

Skipton stole the throw-in though and stormed the visitors' line, with Carver getting the fifth try, which Langstaff converted.

The home side's forward dominance then began to tell. A rolling maul put Langstaff away, quick hands getting the ball to winger Jon Currie, who switched the attack back inside to Donnelly.

He was held up just short but Skipton gained the scrum from which No 8 McEneaney put the icing on the cake with Skipton's sixth try of the afternoon, Langstaff's conversion making the final score 41-7.