It's a day to forget for Skipton as they take a hammering (From Craven Herald)

It's a day to forget for Skipton as they take a hammering

10:32am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Sport By Warren Burnett

West Park Leeds 74 Skipton 5

Skipton conceded 74 unanswered points after taking an early lead as they plunged to a defeat which increases their relegation fears.

The end result was hugely disappointing for The Reds after making a bright start tio a match played on the same pitch at The Sycamores in Bramhope where the full England squad had trained earlier in the week under new coach Stuart Lancaster.

After last week’s defeat to Selby Skipton showed a better mental attitude and increased enthusiasm.

They tore into West Park and gave them little time to settle down.

Skipton had an early chance to take the lead but Alex Naylor’s penalty kick drifted wide.

Ten minutes into the game Skipton won a scrum on the West Park 22. Scrum half Kevin Bottomley shipped the ball out to the backs with Darren Howson finding Naylor who scored down the left side. The conversion was missed but Skipton led 5-0, From the kick-off West Park were awarded a penalty which they duly converted.

Skipton continued to have the better of the play but an interception try after 20 minutes triggered their slide towards defeat.

In the last five minuutes of the half, West Park scored a further two tries, one converted to make it 22-5 at half-time.

West Park started the second half well. Playing down the slope, they found Skipton’s weakness and punished them by feeding their two quick wingers repeatedly.

Nothing went Skipton's way in the second half, with Jonny Moore having to leave the field with 15 minutes to play leaving his side down to just 14 men and under the cosh.

On what was a desperately disappointing afternoon for Skipton, there were a few bright spot, despite conceding 11 tries.

In the pack the two props,Paul Shearer and gun Tom Keady, both played well.

Scrum half Kevin Bottomley and centre Howson were the pick of the backs.