Skipton 41 Hemsworth 12

CHARLIE Brown made peanuts of the Hemsworth defence with a hat-trick of tries as red-hot Skipton blitzed Hemsworth in the May sunshine.

Despite an early setback with the visitors gaining the first try, Skipton went on to record a seven-try victory over their South Yorkshire rivals and collected a Yorkshire Three bonus point.

Scrum-half Jack McLeod made a try-saving tackle in the next phase of play, bundling his opponent into touch and keeping Hemsworth at bay.

The Akers brothers, James and Gavin at full-back and outside centre were nearly over but for a last pass knock-on.

Skipton took the first of several scrums against the head and following a Skipton penalty for a Hemsworth high tackle the visitors received a yellow card for deliberate interference.

A quick tap and run by second row Rick Willsher gained Skipton a further penalty within kickable range. The attempt at goal was not successful but remarkably the visitors received a second yellow card from the re-start for the same offence.

A quick tap and chip through by winger Keenan McConville put Charlie Brown over. Stand-off Hamish Munro added the extra points and the sides turned round at seven all.

A furious start to the second half by the Reds brought them close to Hemsworth's line with a great break by McLeod and a charge down by Willsher.

They were rewarded with a second try from McConville following another break by McLeod. Munro added the extra points and Skipton took the lead at 14-7.

The game was not yet in the bag for the home side as tremendous forward pressure by the visitors from a penalty for a Skipton offside put them over for a second unconverted try.

Skipton coach Craig Bartlett then brought Lee Shaw into the backs to replace John Willsher and the home side gained try number three through Gavin Akers from an excellent move and swift hands down the back line. The conversion attempt hit the post.

Skipton gained a scrum for not straight at the line-out and flowing rugby through many phases of play saw McLeod float a long pass out to Charlie Brown who crossed for his second try and Skipton's fourth, gaining them the bonus league point.

Skipton suffered a setback as Shaw received a yellow card for a high tackle but after three-successive penalties to the home side, great interplay between forwards and backs saw Brown complete his hat trick of tries.

Gavin Akers soon added try number six with a great curving run which left his opposite number standing. Munro added the extra points.

Forward Andrew Wooler rounded off Skipton's tally with a try just before full time to give a final score of 41-12 to the home side.