Skipton 24 Baildon 20

Skipton scored a thrilling win over theirYorkshire Division Three opponents in an entertaining encounter at Sandylands.

The home side were soon with skipper Chris Sheehan taking a scrum against the head.

The dominance of the home pack was evident when they drove Baildon off the ball at another scrum. This gave back row Matty Wilson possession and he floated a pass to full back Matty Langstaff who ran in his first try. Langstaff added the extra points himself.

A Skipton error from the re-start gave Baildon a five-yard scrum from which they went over to reduce the deficit, but the try was not converted.

Excellent forward work by the home side put Langstaff away again. He fed winger Josh Berrey who was brought down ten yards out.

Second row Harry Maltby made a superb take at the line-out and put the back line away but a penalty at the break down to Baildon was compounded by back-chat to the referee.

The visitors punished Skipton with a long-range kick to the corner. From the line-out only excellent defensive work by back-row Charlie Brown kept Baildon out.

A breakaway try to Baildon, following a Skipton error and a kick and chase, allowed the visitors to take the lead.

Skipton were awarded a penalty for Baildon punching in the ruck which left Langstaff groggy and he was soon withdrawn from the game.

The penalty was not converted and the sides turned round with Baildon 10-7 up

Gavin Ackers-Johnson replaced Langstaff at full back and he scored the second try after good recycling work by the pack.

Skipton then moved up a gear, taking two consecutive scrums against the head and pinning Baildon back with kicks into the corner.

Excellent inter-passing between forwards and backs put centre Luke Stockton clear to go over under the posts for Skipton's third try of the afternoon.

The game was far from over and Baildon ran in a late converted try to level the scores at 17 all. Sensing that victory was within their grasp, the next incursion into Skipton territory gave the Baildon stand-off a drop goal opportunity to take the lead.

Skipton were not to be out done and the home side attacked with fury from the restart, forcing two quick penalties.

They opted for the scrum and from a further quick penalty Langstaff, who had returned to the field, went over on a loose ball for Skipton's fourth try. Langstaff added the extra points himself on the stroke of full time.