YORKSHIRE THREE: Skipton held to draw by Medics

Leeds Medics and Dentists held Skipton to a draw in a highly-entertaining Yorkshire Three game at Weetwood.

Blue skies and sunny weather greeted the teams at the Leeds University Sports Fields after the Christmas break and Skipton kicked-off into the slight breeze.

Early incisive runs by the Medics were contained by Skipton who gained a scrum close to the home side's 22 for a knock on.

The visitors gained a penalty in the next phase of play for the home side going over the top, which Kiwi signing Lee Neha slotted over for an early lead.

A good re-start return by Skipton full-back Andy Maclean gained the visitors a further penalty for a high tackle, which Neha put into the corner. A rolling maul from the line-out put prop Luke Currie over for Skipton's first try.

Coach Craig Bartlett sent Ryan Chafer on into the front row for Sam Stewart at the re-start and an excellent kick into the corner from Neha put Skipton back down field. The visitors spun the ball through many phases of play but a last pass interception prevented a try.

The visitors rallied and regained their composure, with quick hands in the next phase of play putting Neha over for try number two. He added the extra points himself.

Coach Bartlett then brought Aaron Walker into the pack to replace Jordan Wilson. A period of sustained pressure by the Medics led to a moment of panic by Skipton behind their own goal line and a poorly-executed clearance kick gave possession back to the home side, from which they ran in an unconverted.

Skipton had the sun on their backs in the second period and stormed down field with scrum-half Jonathan Kulik being unlucky not to go over.

He sustained an ankle injury in the process and had to leave the field, to be replaced at scrum-half by Maclean.

The Medics then received a yellow card for a blatant offside steal from the base of the ruck and Neha put the penalty kick into the corner.

The home sides won the line-out and cleared but a great kick return by Skipton winger Josh Smith set up a cross-field move which put Hamish Munro, now at full-back, over for try number three. The conversion attempt hit the post but Skipton had established a 20-5 lead.

The next 20 minutes belonged to the Medics. Their back line ran in three unconverted tries to level the scores.

Skipton defended well in the last ten minutes and gained a penalty for a high tackle by the home side. The ball was put into the corner but was knocked-on at the line-out and the final whistle blew on a very encouraging start to the New Year by Skipton.