Skipton 22 Leeds Corinthians 9

by Simon Smith

SKIPTON returned to winning ways after the festive break with a comfortable four-try victory at Sandylands.

The visitors started strongly but determined defence by the Yorkshire Four leaders ensured that they emerged unscathed from their nervy opening.

Skipton's first attacking foray saw them creep up to the opposition's line but a crooked throw at a line-out halted their progress.

Corinthians took play to the other end of the field with a penalty for a high tackle, but Skipton won the resultant line-out and sent the ball down the line for winger Josh Smith to score the opening try of the afternoon.

Skipton were caught offside in the next phase of play and the visitors' stand-off converted the penalty to claw back three points.

From the restart superb skills and a final off load by full back Matty Langstaff put prop Luke Currie clear. He fed flanker Tom Craven who ran in try number two.

Skipton then conceded two penalties. The first for offside and the second for not rolling away at the break down. The visitors' converted both to reduce the lead to a single point.

Early in the second half a kick and chase by Langstaff and Smith resulted in a Skipton scrum five yards out. A series of infringements by Corinthians gave Skipton a string of penalties.

The Reds opted for the scrum each time and their supporters kept baying at the referee to award a penalty try.

Eventually, a quick tap penalty by Langstaff put Smith over for Skipton's third try.

Corinthians were reduced to 14 men when one of their flankers received a yellow card for persistent handling on the ground.

Skipton's superior scrummaging came to the fore when, following a penalty for offside, they opted for the scrum and gained a pushover try from No. 8 Harry McEneaney.

A late break by Corinthians looked dangerous for Skipton but the last pass was knocked-on. Langstaff's clearance from the scrum was charged down and Skipton were caught behind their own goal line.

Corinthians were pushed off the five yard scrum and Skipton's scrum-half Jonathan Kulik cleared to touch to bring the game to an end..