Skipton step up their late promotion push with tenth win

SKIPTON extended their winning run to ten games with a convincing six-try victory over their South Yorkshire rivals at Sandylands.

The result also strengthened their late promotion push by taking them to within two points of both Hessle and Wensleydale who are vying for second place, with three matches to play.

Skipton took a while to get bedded-in, with an uncharacteristic knock on by full back Matty Langstaff.

The Reds wheeled the resulting scrum and gave notice of the forward pressure they were to exert on the visitors.

A clearance kick by Hemsworth did not find touch and inter-passing between Jack McLeod and Langstaff saw the winger go in for the opening try. Langstaff added the extra points.

From the re-start Hemsworth received a yellow card for a punch by one of their second rows on home No 8 Ben Hall.

A kick through from McLeod was collected by Langstaff who put in a looping cross-field pass to centre Jamie Donnelly who scored under the posts. Langstaff again added the extra points.

The first scrum after the re-start was taken against the head by Skipton who put the ball quickly down the back line. Winger Josh Smith was held up just short of the line and Hemsworth cleared.

A period of end to end stuff followed and sweet handling by Donnelly, Langstaff and stand-off Liam Jordan seemed sure to put McLeod over until the last pass was adjudged forward.

The second half saw an early try for Skipton scrum-half Stuart Barraclough with a jinking run following a break when a space opened up for him at the line-out.

Another scrum taken against the head by Skipton put McLeod away. He brought the ball back in-field and Hemsworth were caught offside. The resultant penalty gave Skipton a line-out deep in Hemsworth's 22.

The ball was spun across the field and quickly re-cycled to put Jordan in for the home side's fourth try of the afternoon, securing the bonus league point. Langstaff added the extra points and Skipton had established a 26-0 lead.

A stolen ball by centre Jon Currie allowed a kick through by Langstaff which was chased by Smith. Hemsworth's full-back missed the ball and Smith pounced to secure a fifth try.

An altercation following the re-start saw Langstaff red-carded and a Hemsworth player also given his marching orders for joining the affray.

With both sides down to 14 men, Skipton regained their composure and replacement stand off Jake Duxbury put both Smith and replacement winger Hamish Munro away with deft kicks. Smith seemed clear but a foot in touch denied him a further try.

On Skipton's next venture into the visitors' 22 a forward pass denied second-row Luke Stockton a try, Expansive open play with inter-passing between forwards and backs gave him a second chance a few minutes later and he went over in the corner. Duxbury added the extra points to seal Skipton's win.