Rugby Union: Skipton survive after four-try bonus

SKIPTON played like men possessed in the return fixture at second-placed Otliensians to gain a four-try bonus point which secured their place in Yorkshire Three.

The visitors put their marker down with an early try from stand-off Liam Jordan following a break by No 8 Harry McEneaney, but also suffered a setback as scrum-half Te Raaki Neha was injured in the move and had to leave the field.

Winger Josh Berrey replaced him, and Andy Maclean stepped up to scrum-half.

Otliensians were always going to play a fast and open game of rugby and replied with quick ball down the line to put their left winger over.

He touched down under the posts and the try was converted. They added to their tally a few minutes later when a penalty for a Skipton high tackle gave them an easy chance at goal.

Determined defence by Skipton and strong running by McEneaney and props Luke Currie and Chris Wright kept Otliensians at bay until the home side were penalised for feeding at the scrum.

Full-back Hamish Munro slotted the attempt at goal through the posts. Just before the break Otliensians were awarded a penalty for Skipton handling on the ground.

They opted for the scrum, but Skipton took the ball against the head and cleared.

An early second-half penalty to Otliensians for a Skipton offside set up a slick-handling move and they were over for another converted try.

Skipton suffered a further setback with Berrey receiving a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and the home side put the ball into the corner. Quick hands from the line-out gave them another converted try.

Despite being a man down, Skipton would not quit and quick hands from a tap penalty put winger Josh Smith in for try number two.

Otliensians replied with a similar quick try from a tap and run and Skipton coach Craig Bartlett brought Smith Brown and Andrew Wooler on to supplement the forwards.

The visitors were rewarded by try number three from a kick and chase by Munro. He added the extra points himself and the score stood at a tantalising 29-20 to the home side.

Prop Ryan Binner took to the field for Skipton but despite another scrum against the head, Otliensians ran in a further converted try.

Following another try to the home side, coach Bartlett took to the field himself with forward Carl Nicholson.

A superb break by Smith Brown put winger Joe Gill clear for Skipton's fourth try, with the bonus point securing Skipton's place in Yorkshire Three next season.

Skipton battled through the last five minutes of the game and a further converted try by the home side on the stroke of full-time could not dampen the celebrations of their supporters.