6:32pm Wednesday 17th February 2010
By Sportsdesk
A fine, sunny February afternoon was a perfect setting for the clash of two teams with an eye on the league table for different reasons.
Wheatley Hills are hoping to spend more time in the North East next year and the home side are looking for that elusive win to help them out of the relegation zone.
With 18 games played and eight remaining, Skipton, currently third from bottom, need to win as many games as possible to stay in this fine, competitive league.
As recent results have shown, there are no poor teams in this Yorkshire One, therefore no guaranteed points. Skipton have lost four out of their last five games by a single score, and beaten Castleford, one of the division’s form teams by a similar margin.
Proof, then, that Skipton can compete at this level, but the ability to win tight games and close down games when in front, is imperative to retain membership of the Yorkshire top tier.
Skipton got off to a dream start with Matt Speres collecting the kick-off, bursting clean through the middle and from swift recycling, the ball spun out to Jon Dillon, who chipped the defence to score in the corner.
The conversion was unsuccessful but Skipton were 5-0 up within a minute. A deliberate knock- on by Wheatley allowed Hargreaves to stretch the lead to 8-0.
The big Wheatley pack had the edge in the scrum and kept Murray busy at No 8 as he was either in reverse or having to pick up quickly to avoid the wheel.
From a penalty for off-side, the Doncaster side edged towards the Skipton line, but a knock-on at the line- out, allowed Skipton to clear from the resultant scrum. Handling on the floor from both sides kept the referee’s pea in motion and when Speres found himself on the wrong side of a ruck, he was given a robust ‘shoeing’ which saw Mr Tate reverse the penalty and send the visiting scrum-half to the sin-bin.
Skipton’s defence was superb throughout, as indeed it had to be to cope with the very big lively Wheatley pack, especially the back row, and without a brilliant cover tackle from skipper Jon Richards, Wheatley would have crossed for a try.
After a failed drop goal attempt, the Wheatley pack battered again and again at the Skipton line but the defence held firm.
On 32 minutes however, the Wheatley No 10 got his side on the scoreboard with a penalty for off-side.
Both side were willing to run the ball, but Wheatley’s moves tended to end in the centre, whereas Skipton’s runners too often took the ball into contact where a quick pass would have put men into space.
Shortly before half-time, the Wheatley No 13 was yellow carded for coming in from the side, but the score remained at 8-3 at the break giving Skipton hope of victory.
Wheatley started the second-half as Skipton had the first, when from yet another turnover at the breakdown, where the visitors were superior throughout, their powerful No 6 crossed for a try under the posts, which was easily converted.
Skipton regained the lead three minutes later with a finely struck Jeremy Hargeaves penalty and soon after, a superb attacking move by Skipton was only halted by what looked like a deliberate knock-on.
The influential Speres was given a yellow card on 17 minutes, and shortly after Wheatley’s No 6 crossed again near the posts and the conversion took the score to 11-17.
Both fly-halves kicked intelligently throughout and made good ground with long ranging kicks. More forward pressure from the visitors saw their powerful No 8, the game’s outstanding player, cross under the posts taking the score to 11-24 with the conversion.
Two minutes later, a Hargreaves penalty completed the scoring, and although the Wheatley pack continued to assault Skipton’s line, the defence held firm until the final whistle.
Skipton were well in touch in this game for 60 minutes, but were unable to capitalise on Wheatley’s 20 minutes in the bin, whereas Skipton shipped 14 points during their ten minute spell.
Ultimately, the superior bulk and power of the Doncaster pack proved decisive, particularly their No 8, whose strong running from the base of the scrum caused Skipton problems all afternoon. The young Skipton side played with plenty of aggression and endeavour and the defensive action was indeed first-class.
However, injuries and unavailabilities have left the team without half of its first choice players and the coaching team have been unable to field a settled side for some weeks now.
Confidence amongst the squad is good and the side must just keep the effort going and surely the wins will come.
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