Skipton coach Dave Duxbury saw his side extend their lead in Yorkshire Four

Skipton 18 Hemsworth 12

by Simon Smith

SKIPTON faced the sternest test of the season so far but maintained their unbeaten record to go 12 points clear at the top of Yorkshire Four.

Despite a good clearance by full back Matty Langstaff, Skipton had an early scare with a kickable penalty awarded to the visitors for handling on the ground. Hemsworth's stand-off put the ball wide and strong forward work by the Skipton pack put the home side down field.

Hemsworth had a heavy set of forwards but the home side had overall forward dominance and forced a scrum infringement at the next set piece. The penalty was within kickable range and Langstaff had no trouble in putting the home side three points up.

Two superb breaks by Langstaff and centre Jamie Donnelly put Skipton back down field before excellent scrummaging by the Skipton front row forced a further penalty as Hemsworth were driven backwards.

Langstaff put the ball into the corner and a rolling maul developed from the line-out but the play ended with a Skipton knock-on and no further points.

Skipton were then awarded two penalties in quick succession for Hemsworth not releasing. Langstaff converted the second to stretch the home side's lead.

Just before half-time Hemsworth scored a break-away try from an interception, against the run of play. The try was converted to give the visitors a 7-6 lead at the break, to the dismay of the large home crowd.

Early into the second period the Hemsworth tight head prop was given a yellow card for repeated scrummaging offences. A kick through and chase by home side prop Chris Wright resulted in a Hemsworth knock-on from which Skipton gained two successive goal-line scrums and a push-over try, touched down by flanker Tom Craven. Langstaff added the extra points with a superb touchline conversion.

From the re-start great forward work and determined driving play by the Skipton forwards put Langstaff over with fifth phase ball to secure the Reds' second try.

The conversion was not successful but Skipton had established an 18-7 lead. Coach Dave Duxbury then made some changes, bringing on winger Josh Smith and young Tom Huxley at second row. Sam Brearley also replaced his brother Ben at scrum-half. Forwards Mal Wilshire and Daryl Swales also joined the pack.

Hemsworth then upset the apple cart again with a breakaway try from a scrum in Skipton's 22. The try was not converted but at 18-12 the game was too close to call and lead to a nail-biting last five minutes for the home crowd.

The Skipton forwards stuck to their guns and allowed Hemsworth no further possession before the final whistle sounded for the home side's 11th league victory of the season.