Skipton lose close encounter as Medics & Dentists extract last-gasp try

A BREAKAWAY try from an interception on the stroke of full-time gave the Medics & Dentists the edge in a highly-entertaining encounter at Sandylands.

Skipton had forward dominance, while the Medics displayed open and expansive back play. A superbly delayed pass by the visitors' stand-off put them down field and after three phases of play they were in under the posts for an early lead.

A chip through by Skipton winger Josh Smith forced an error from his opposite number. The Skipton forwards took advantage of the field position gained, and quick hands from the base of the scrum put Smith over. Full back Matty Langstaff converted to level the scores.

An excellent re-start return by Skipton No8 Harry McEneaney put the home side down field, with a great forward which resulted in a penalty to the home side for the Medics not releasing.

Skipton opted for the scrum. Centre Hamish Munro couldn't hold on to a chip over the defence by Langstaff but the home side gained another penalty for the Medics not releasing. They opted for the scrum again, but without reward.

A third penalty quickly followed and eventually Skipton's tactic paid off with back-row Luke Daniel crashing over for Skipton's second try, to put the, 12-7 up at the break.

The second half did not start well for Skipton when an error at the line-out gave the visitors an early try.

The Skipton forwards responded with a drive right up to the Medics line. A chip over by Langsaff was knocked-on and from the scrum the home forwards took the ball through three phases of play to put prop Luke Currie over.

The try was not converted but Skipton had re-taken the lead at 17-12.

The home crowd's joy was short lived as a quickly-taken penalty caught Skipton off-guard and the Medics ran in a converted try to regain the lead.

A fourth try for the visitors quickly followed and the game seemed to be slipping away from Skipton.

Excellent interplay between forwards and backs from the re-start put Skipton back down field.

Daniel was held up just short from a quick tap penalty for Medics not releasing. Skipton gained a scrum five metres out and replacement scrum-half Sam Brierley put Langstaff over for his side’s bonus-point try. Langstaff converted to level the scores at 24 all.

With seconds remaining, Skipton launched an all-out attack to secure victory but an intercepted last pass put the Medics & Dentists' winger clear for a try to seal the game.