SSE Yorkshire Division Four

Leeds Corinthians 21 Skipton 10

HIGH-flyers Skipton were given a harsh lesson that no matter how good their rugby is, indiscipline and inaccuracy can prove very costly.

The reds dominated much of the game, overpowering Corinthians in both the ruck and scrum and launching frequent attacks against a lacklustre back division, but possession was squandered on numerous occasions by poor handling at decisive moments.

Within five minutes, Corinthians’ fly half and key player landed the first of several penalties that were to prove Skipton's downfall, after an offside infringement.

A second successful attempt after 20 minutes for a ruck penalty, which was made easier by the referee advancing it ten metres for dissent, gave the Leeds side a 6-0 lead.

Skipton continued to play the rugby and forced Corinthians onto the back foot, pressurising their defence in the home 22. This forced a penalty late in the half for the Reds’ Jamie Donnelly to take three points.

With half-time rapidly approaching, Skipton intensified the pressure straight from the restart, the forwards working the blind-side to good effect before quick ball in the back line released Matty Langstaff to cut through a flailing defence and score under the posts. Donnelly converted and Skipton deservedly led 10-6.

The Leeds side started the second half with wind and slope advantage, and their ten, quick to exploit this, launched a series of kicks to the corners but the Reds' back three of Redver Stork-Flatley, Callum Patrick and Matt Ray nullified this tactic and returned the ball well.

Bereft of any other attacking abilities, Corinthians relied solely on the fly half's boot, which he used to devastating effect.

Two yellow cards in the second period for indiscipline did not help Skipton's cause but even with this numerical superiority for 20 minutes of the second half, the home side never looked like threatening the Reds' try line.

Equally Skipton were restricted in attacking options playing with a man short and were unable to press the home defence until they had a full complement.

The Reds got close to the line on several occasions late in the half but could not find the decisive pass to force a try.

The harsh lessons were beginning to be inflicted as the deficit was reduced to 10-9 with an early penalty, the first of five conceded in the second half.

Skipton's handling errors thwarted many attacks and frustration mounted. The 100 per cent unerring accuracy and range of Corinthians’ No 10 gradually edge the home side further in front with four more penalties to bring his tally to seven penalty attempts – 21 points.

Nevertheless, Skipton's talented young side will undoubtedly learn from this game.