Bramley Phoenix 14 Skipton 20

SKIPTON returned to winning ways in Yorkshire Four with a hard-fought victory over their determined rivals.

A still, dry day provided good conditions for rugby and both sides produced open play in the first 15 minutes as they took advantage of the wide Bramley pitch.

Following strong forward work from No 8 Harry McEneaney, Skipton gained a penalty which full back Matty Langstaff put into the corner. From the rolling maul both McEneaney and scrum-half Jonathan Kulik drove closer, then winger Josh Smith was put over for Skipton's first try.

From strong scrummaging by McEneaney and second-row John Pickersgill, Langstaff put the ball down field and the Skipton pack stole possession at the line-out.

A Bramley infringement gave Skipton a penalty under the posts which Langstaff converted to extend the lead.

From the restart a chip through and chase by Skipton winger Jack McLeod put the ball into the corner.

McLeod couldn't just get to the ball but Langstaff was on hand to touch down for Skipton's second try.

Bramley crossed the line in the next phase of play, from a kick through and chase, but the try was not awarded and play was brought back by the referee for an earlier infringement.

The home side were not to be denied, however, and clawed back a try after a well-executed backs move with a well-timed last pass putting their winger away.

The try was converted on the stroke of half-time and the sides turned round with Skipton leading 13-7.

Bramley came straight back at Skipton after the break but good clearance kicks from Langstaff and centre Liam Jordan kept them at bay.

The visitors worked their way down the field and gained a scrum five yards out. With the ball in his hands, Smith made no mistake and ran in Skipton's third try under the posts. Langstaff had no trouble in adding the extra points.

Skipton then conceded two penalties in quick succession which the home side capitalised on, taking the game to Skipton and running in their second try from five yards out.

The try was converted and Bramley were trailing by just six points.

Skipton took the game back to Bramley, with a Langstaff-Smith break being ended just short of the line by a try-saving tackle from the home side's full back.

The visitors gained a penalty for Bramley getting caught offside which Langstaff put into the corner.

From an infringement at the maul Skipton gained a further penalty and opted for the scrum.

They drove Bramley over the line for a pushover try but the ball was adjudged to have been knocked on in the process and the try was disallowed.

The home side knew that they were within one converted try of a victory and piled the pressure on Skipton, resulting in a nail-biting last ten minutes for the travelling supporters.

They gained two scrums within Skipton's 22 but a last penalty to the visitors for Bramley lifting the front row, saw the ball kicked into touch to end the game.