Skipton cling on as opponents pay penalty for missed kicks (From Craven Herald)

Skipton cling on as opponents pay penalty for missed kicks

10:37am Thursday 24th November 2011 in Skipton

Moortown 19 Skipton 21

Skipton survived a nervy finish to the match as they clung on grimly to record their second-successive win.

Twice in the closing five minutes their opponents were awarded kickable penalties, but on both occasions they missed the target.

Skipton fielded the same pack that had been on duty in the home win over Ripon, however they were forced to make four changes in the backs due to injury and unavailability.

Experienced scrum half Kevin Bottomley returned to the side while there were debuts for Matt Raw and Jonny Moore. James Bagnall came in on the wing.

Playing down the slight slope, Skipton fell behind after five minutes to a try scored following a defensive lapse. The successful conversion gave Moortown a 7-0 lead.

Skipton didn’t panic and fought their way back into the game. Andrew Nicholson kicked two penalties to reduce the deficit to one point.

The visitors were caught out again just before half-time as Moortown ran in their second try from a breakaway to lead 12-6.

Skipton made a change at half-time swapping one Willsher for another, Rick coming on in place of brother Malcolm.

Skipton’s backs put together a great move early on in the second half.

David Wilkinson chipped over the Moortown defence and forced the the full back to attempt a quick kick out.

Fast-thinking Moore was alert to the situation and charged the kick down to enable captain Matt Speres to fall on the ball and score a try. Nicholson missed the conversion so Skipton trailed 12-11.

Some ill-discipline from Moortown gave Skipton another penalty 30 metres out which was converted by Nicholson to give Skipton a 14-12 lead.

Not everything was going their way though. Moortown are a very competitive side and again their fast backs combined to score a well- worked try under the posts.

The conversion was added to make it 19-14 in Moortown’s favour with 20 minutes left to play.

Debutant Matt Raw replaced the injured Alex Brazier at full back and he soon made an impression.

He coolly fielded high kick in his own half and carried the ball 20 metres into opposition territory before the Skipton pack took over.

They drove the ball a further 20 metres before the predatory Speres ripped the ball out and forced his way over for a try which Nicholson converted to establish a 21-19 lead.

There may only have been minutes left but the game was far from over.

Moortown’s restart went deep into Skipton’s 22 and though the Reds claimed the ball the referee awarded a penalty against them for foul play.

The three points looked a formality, but to Skipton’s delight the kick was sliced wide.

From the drop-out Moortown came straight back, putting Skipton under further pressure.

Again a penalty was conceded, this time for obstruction.

From a Skipton perspective the kick looked fairly straight forward but yet again it failed to go over much to the relief of both their players and supporters. Lady Luck was on their side.

Overall it was another good performance by the whole Skipton team with Tom Keady at No.8 having a great game.

Matty Wilson showed spirit to play on while injured and young prop Chris Lambert more than held his own.

Skipton will look to extend their winning run to three matches when they take a break from Yorkshire Division One action on Saturday and face Ilkley in a Yorkshire Shield second round tie at Sandylands.