Skipton 31 York RI 7

SKIPTON continued their 100 per cent start to the Yorkshire Division Four season at a soggy Sandylands after heavy morning rain.

The Reds got off to a nervous start, with sliced kicks from both full back Jack McCleod and stand-off Matty Langstaff, but soon settled down and a well-timed break from Liam Jordan and McLeod put Skipton down the field.

A subsequent handling error by Skipton gave the visitors the put in at the first scrum but they were pushed off the ball by the home side, setting the tone for Skipton's forward dominance.

Excellent back play saw new signing, winger Josh Smith, pushed into touch just five yards from the line. Skipton won the line-out and Langstaff ran in the first try for the home side, adding the extra points himself.

From the re-start the Skipton forwards continued to gain confidence and dominance and launched the back line into another expansive run.

The next scrum was taken against the head by Skipton hooker Chris Sheenan but a handling error on the ground gave the visitors a penalty attempt, which they failed to convert.

Strong forward work from the drop-out put Smith away only for him to be bundled into touch for a second time. The forwards again took control, wrestling the ball from the visitors' scrum-half and player coach Mark Walton put No8 Ben Hall over for Skipton's second try.

The visitors' pack responded strongly and only a try saving tackle by full-back McLeod kept them from the score sheet. Good line-out ball from Skipton forward Charlie Brown put centre Jon Currie away and the Skipton pack wheeled the resultant scrum to gain possession.

A long range penalty gave York RI good field position but they could find no way through. Smith put a foot in touch on the return but again the Skipton pack won the line-out and Langstaff ran in the home side's third try on the stroke of half time.

Skipton started the second period in the same vein with strong forward work, adventurous back play and a good return by winger Josh Berrey but some scrappy handling by both sides interrupted the flow of the game.

From a penalty to Skipton for a high tackle, sweet back play put Currie in for the home side's fourth try to gain the bonus league point. Langstaff converted.

A penalty to York RI for off-side gave their pack encouragement and they camped in Skipton's 22, securing a series of scrums and penalties from which the forwards ran in a short range try. This was converted and the score stood at 24-7 in the home side's favour.

From the re-start a good steal by player coach Walton put Skipton back down the pitch. A short pass from the ruck to back row Stuart Barraclough and a return pass back to Walton put him over for a well deserved try, Skipton's fifth of the afternoon. Langstaff converted to give a final score of 31-7 to the home side.