Hessle 43 Skipton 0

THE long journey to Humberside took its toll on the Skipton players as their unbeaten start in Yorkshire Four came to an end.

The match was played on a lovely sunny day in the lee of the Humber Bridge with panoramic views of the River Humber. However that was the only enjoyment that the few Skipton supporters who had made the trip were to have all afternoon.

Skipton had the advantage of the slight slope in the first half but after ten minutes the home side's stand off broke free and with only full back Jack McCleod to beat, he passed to their loose head prop who went in for a converted try.

Skipton continued to hold territorial dominance but the home side had a height and weight advantage in the pack and punished the visitors at the line-out. Following an injury to Skipton winger Josh Smith, the home side kicked into space behind the Skipton defence and from the resultant rolling maul released their back line for a further try. This was unconverted with the kick hitting the post.

Despite a period of heavy pressure, Skipton just could not cross the gain line and the home side's full back and stand off pinned Skipton back with a series of long-range kicks from their own half.

This pressure led to cracks in the Skipton defence. Although full back McCleod made many a brave catch and return in an effort to keep the home side at bay, a series of missed tackles by the visitors allowed Hessle to run in three further tries before half-time, one of which was converted for a 29-0 lead.

The second half saw the home side receive two yellow cards for persistent foul play but Skipton were now playing up the slope and their woe continued. A deep kick into Skipton's 22 and a rolling maul from the resultant line-out put the home side's full back over for a further unconverted try.

Although Skipton exerted most of the pressure for the next period of the game, excellent tackling by Hessle prevented them turning the possession into points. The Hessle stand off kicked to clear their line and Jack McCleod was unlucky not to go over in the corner on the return, with the ball going to ground just short of the line.

Hessle worked their way down field again and despite giving away a penalty for their second yellow card, another break by the home side's full back took them to Skipton's try line. They had the put in at the scrum and the ball went down their back line for a further converted try. Almost on full-time Hessle's left winger intercepted the ball and, despite brave tackling by McCleod, put in a sweet pass for his side to go over again.

Skipton will be disappointed with this performance. They continue their league campaign at home against Halifax Vandals on October 10..