Skipton 17 Yarnbury 32

The last game of a fraught season for Skipton saw third-placed Yanbury take to the field sporting their “el presidente” shirts honouring long-serving stalwart president Raymond Johnson, who held the position for a record 32 years.

In contrast the Reds’ makeshift side included the famous A N Other, who was unceremoniously dragged from the bar 20 minutes into the game.

Two quick-fire tries from Jason Avison and a conversion in the first ten minutes established a platform for the visitors to run through their, sometimes laboured, training ground repertoire and keep Skipton on the back foot.

The Reds eventually found their feet and launched several attacks without success, until the “Pocket Rocket” Jamie Carroll was launched.

His blistering pace took him past would be tacklers to score the first of hopefully many first-team tries. Unfortunately Yarnbury struck back with a well-worked try of their own by winger Toby Atkins wide out.

To add insult to injury they were gifted another try in the last minute of the half from an intercepted pass which saw prop Alex Boden rumble over for what he will undoubtedly claim as a 75-yard dash.

The visitors had a comfortable 22-5 half-time lead. With the advantage of the elements the tables were turned on Yarnbury in the second half and Skipton dominated, with Josh Beck to the fore making many penetrating runs from inside centre.

The normally fluent service from scrum half Miff Smith was hampered by a broken wrist, but with no replacements he persevered for the full game. A break by stand off Darren Howson released the backs who, with good inter-passing, put Beck clear to score under the posts. Howson added the conversion.

A superb break by outside centre Alex Naylor, closely supported by winger Lee Shaw, looked an odds-on seven pointer, but inexplicably and to the surprise of everyone, Yarnbury’s speed merchant full back came away with the ball.

The resulting possession saw the visitors move the ball well to release centre Dave Jones to score.

The endeavour was still there for the Reds and they again dominated for long periods, but a lengthy injury stoppage saw hard-working hooker Jimmy Boynton leave the field after being knocked unconscious.

The head injury resulted in a short stay in hospital for observations.

With only ten minutes to go Beck scored his second try.

As the game drew to a close Yarnbury again benefited from a Skipton mistake and scored wide out through prop Pete Tennant in the final play of the game as referee Graeme Hall blew the final whistle to bring the season to an end.

The skills and ability of this young side are there to match any team in this division, they just need harnessing.

With fine tuning and a strengthening of squad numbers they will be able to hold there own with the best. Little mistakes, wrong options and lapses in concentration have cost this predominantly young and inexperienced side dear in many games this season.

Without these, many of the results could easily have gone Skipton’s way, and they could have sat comfortable in mid table instead of awaiting their fate in the relegation process.

The Reds may not go down depending on results in other higher divisions.

In any event Skipton can now only look forward to the new season wherever it takes them Further recruitment is necessary to expand the small squad that coach Carl Watts has worked tirelessly with this season.

Things can only get better for the Reds.