Skipton 2nds 61 Old Leodiensians 2nds 5

A CHANGE of opponents for the final fixture saw Skipton welcome Leodiensians as a last-minute replacement for Wharfedale, but it didn’t dampen the mood.

Skipton, playing in the name of John Firth, had all the motivation they needed and the final score was evidence of this.

Skipton received the kick-off and went straight on the attack. Good forward running from the back row of Tom Harrison, Andy Whitley and Mark Davison set the pace early.

Skipton dominated at the breakdown with Matt Jenkinson and Tom Allsopp lifting and scrummaging for fun while hooker David Mitton rolled back the years.

Gareth Atkinson broke the deadlock with the first try. This was swiftly followed by a double from George Smithson as the two embarked on a scoring competition with each other.

Andy Whitley was next over the line as Skipton pushed the scrum against the head into the into goal area from five metres out.

Atkinson scored again before Leodiensians took advantage of a scrambling defence to get a well-worked five pointer out wide. The Leo’s kicker missed his attempt, unlike Alex Baldwin who at half-time was holding a 100 per cent conversion rate.

When the teams turned around Skipton reasserted their dominance.

Atkinson completed his hat-trick not long before Smithson completed his.

Substitutions were made and Aaron Tattersall-Jarvis made an immediate impact almost scoring in the corner.

Second rows Mal Willsher and Pete Collins carried hard and the former was unlucky not to score on two occasions.

Frank Trueman was the one substitute who did get over the line following a pinball style episode.

With the final play of the game scrum half Tony Spensley touched down under the posts.

The win rounded off a fine season for the seconds.