Yorkshire Division Three: Skipton 40 Knottingley 14

A COMPREHENSIVE six-try victory over Knottingley consolidated Skipton's fifth position in Yorkshire Division Three.

The hosts could not take advantage of an early penalty for Knottingley handling on the ground nor a rolling maul from a line-out a few minutes later, which was held up, but skipper Matty Langstaff did go over from a five-metre scrum following quick hands by scrum half Jonathan Kulik.

A kick and chase from the re-start by centre Hamish Munro led to an error on the ground by Knottingley, and swift passing from the scrum gave centre Jon Currie the chance to pirouette his way over for try number two.

The home side were straight back downfield from the restart, and try number three soon followed under the posts from Langstaff.

He added the extra points to put Skipton 17-0 ahead, and increased that by three points with a sweetly-struck penalty when Knottingley were offside.

Another successful Langstaff penalty followed for a tip-tackle after Skipton had been held up over the line.

However, Knottingley hit back with some gusto from the re-start and, after three successive penalties against Skipton for over the top or handling on the ground, referee Iain Brown gave home side prop Chris Wright a yellow card.

Skipton received a second yellow card just before half-time when Currie was adjudged to have made a deliberate knock-on, and the home side started the second period with 13 men, to the consternation of their supporters.

Using their two-man advantage, the visitors drove down to Skipton's line but were bundled into touch.

A minute later, they were in at the opposite corner but a dropped ball before touching down gave Skipton a let off.

A penalty to the visitors for a Skipton high tackle was put into the corner and a chip through and chase by the Knottingley stand-off gave the visitors a well-deserved converted try.

A scrum against the head to Skipton in the next phase of play sent the ball down the line to Munro, who went over for Skipton's fourth try, securing the bonus point.

Skipton were straight back downfield from the re-start through forwards George Dale and Luke Daniel.

Winger Jack McLeod was bundled into touch in the corner but Knottingley received a yellow card for unnecessary roughness.

From the penalty, Skipton opted for the scrum, resulting in a pushover try for No 8 Matty Wilson.

Knottingley came back at Skipton in a period of open play and were rewarded with a second converted try under the posts.

The home side were not to be outdone, however, and from a superb pick up from the ruck, Munro broke for Skipton's sixth try.

Stand-off Ben Brearley added the extra points to make the full-time score 40-14.