6:59pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
By Sportsdesk
Bridlington came to Sandylands on Saturday as the current season entered its penultimate month.
Bridlington have had a successful season so far, currently lying fourth in the table.
They kicked-off on a slightly overcast afternoon with a bit of a chill wind keeping the temperature low.
Skipton started in positive fashion, winning the first scrum and promising young No 8 Murray taking the ball up field. Support was quickly available, and the ball was moved down the back line and into the Bridlington 22.
The Skipton attack continued for several minutes but couldn’t break through a very efficient defence.
The ball was finally turned over and Bridlington kicked long into the Skipton half, and a fortunate bounce saw the ball into touch.
Skipton won the line-out and kicked to clear, however Bridlington won their line and their forwards drove forward ten yards before getting the ball out to their backs.
This worked to good effect, as they managed to find a way through the Skipton defence and full-back Zondo crossed for a try, converted by fly-half Muru, to put the visitors 7-0 ahead.
Skipton re-started with a high lofting kick from fly- half Andrew Nicholson that saw an excellent chase from captain Jonathan Richards.
Bridlington managed to turn over the ball and quickly counter-attacked passing out to their right winger, and some good inter-play saw Kerr score in the corner. There was no conversion.
The game continued, play alternating in a series of scrums and line-outs.
Bridlington attacked and got the ball quickly out to the right wing and got close to the Skipton line. Some good covering, including an excellent tackle back by second row Rick Willsher, saw the ball slowed down and a clearing kick into touch.
With both lines formed for the line-out, and referee Mel Tate giving a talk to the Skipton forwards in the line Bridlington took a quick throw behind the referee’s back and had the ball across the field to left winger Stevens who raced across the line for another try.
With the Skipton team, and crowd, knowing that the laws of the game don’t allow a quick line-out to take place once the line-out had formed, this was a particularly cruel interpretation that hurt Skipton, now behind 19-0.
Skipton spirit remained strong, and they continued to play attacking rugby.
They quickly passed the ball down the back line to the right wing where some lovely passing between Lee Shaw and full-back Jeremy Hargreaves saw Shaw get within inches of the line before a cover tackle forced him into touch.
A few minutes later a penalty was given against Skipton and then another ten yards was given when Skipton asked for clarification. Muru stepped forward and kicked straight through the posts for 22-0.
Skipton kicked-off the second-half and once again showed that their spirit is good. Winning a scrum, scrum-half Adam Oldfield chipped over the Bridlington defence and Shaw raced ahead to chase. He was held back and a penalty awarded, converted by Hargreaves from the touchline.
Skipton were off the mark and the momentum was now with Skipton who won the ball and kicked over the defensive line. The ball bounced and unluckily hit the corner post. From the 22 drop out, Skipton continued the attack. Their speed caused the defence to be caught off-side, and Hargreaves converted the penalty for 22-6.
Richards was pulled down a few feet from the line and Skipton were awarded a penalty for off-side at the scrum and quickly ran the ball. Skipton were awarded another penalty and kicked for touch. They won the resultant line-out but were unable to get across the line.
Skipton continued on the attack, once again getting close to the line but the final tackle kept the line secure.
Skipton were awarded a free- kick which was taken quickly out to Murray, and then good support from Mal Willsher and Ingham took the ball towards the Bridlington line.
The defence was caught offside but referee Tate played advantage and Oldfield raced around the fringes of the ruck and across the line to score a try under the posts. Easily converted by Hargreaves, it was 22-13.
Bridlington won a line-out and quickly moved the ball down the back line. Hall found a gap and scored a try. This was converted by Muru, for a 29-13 scoreline, which it remained at the final whistle.
This was a much better performance from Skipton against a very good side. The pack played an excellent game, winning all their set pieces and even some of the opposition’s. Discipline was also good, with the penalty count convincingly in Skipton’s favour.
The backs showed their attacking spirit, and got close to the try line on many occasions but the final covering tackle from Bridlington was probably the deciding factor between the teams.
Skipton played a convincing game, with great spirit. If they played like this every week, then they would be in the top half of the league.
SKIPTON: Grayston; Speres, Sheehan, R Willsher, M Willsher; Ingham, Wilson; Murray, Oldfield, Nicholson, Shaw, Howson, Richards, Ray, Hargreaves. Repl. M Boatwright, Barraclough, Murray.
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