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Comment

Skipton make a push for the line against Malton & Norton on Saturday.

Skipton 30 Malton & Norton 10

This was an excellent performance by the Reds who looked comfortable throughout despite the opposition coming from the higher Yorkshire Division One.

Being a non-league Saturday, Skipton rested several "regular" players. It was good to see live-wire Matty Wilson back as flanker, Jon Dillon back after injury impressed on the wing and there were first team debuts for summer recruits Ryan Binner and Mark Battle. Mark Davison is back clearly enjoying his rugby again and it was good to see strong winger Lee Shaw getting a full game in the firsts. After this good performance and result the selectors may have some thinking to do.

The game was played in truly appalling conditions with driving rain and sleet throughout. Indeed, before the start, the referee re-quested that a hot drink and change of kit be available for the players at half-time and the game was subject to a pitch inspection at both the start and at half-time. Fortunately the game played its full course.

In the first half the teams were evenly matched. Although Skipton went 8-0 up, Malton pulled this back and they went 10-8 into the lead before Skipton regained the lead just before half-time.

However, in the second half, Skipton totally monopolised play and given the conditions played a remarkably open game with the backs running in three more tries.

In the first half, the game seemed set for this to be a forwards slog all day and neither pack dominated albeit there was much hard work going on in the mud from both sides.

It was therefore surprising that the first score came from speedy Red's winger Jon Dillon and when this was soon followed by a well-taken penalty kick from Brydon Maiava Skipton looked good at 8-0.

But then the game swung to Malton's favour and when their forwards got a try under the posts the conversion was a formality and then a penalty kick took them into the lead.

However, just before half-time, Skipton's forwards were starting to dominate and despite the slippery conditions a notable push over try resulted - even the backs had joined the push resulting in centre Maiava emerging from the base of the scrum to claim the try!

In the second half the pleasure was to see Skipton defying the weather and playing like they did at the start of the season in dry condi-tions.

The forwards were strong and efficient, the half backs, Adam Oldfield and Darren Howson, were moving the ball around with flair and the backs - Dillon, James Burke, Maiava, Lee Shaw and Alex Naylor - totally defied the weather with good handling and fast running.

First on the scoresheet after the break was Wilson who worked tirelessly all afternoon from the flanker position.

Then it was a centre move by Maiava saw him busting through before off-loading to James Burke for another try.

The final try came from a fluent backs move which saw winger Dillon claiming his second try of the day, much deserved by this speedy winger who looked sharp and alert throughout despite being exposed to the rain more than most out on the wing.

On a day when kicking was near impossible, Howson slotted a conversion over for this final try.

A final result of 30-10 against Division One opponents was a good afternoon's work.

This should now give the Reds confidence that high scoring is still possible even though the weather has turned bad and the league season, which enters its second half next Saturday, is an exciting prospect.

6:11pm Tuesday 11th December 2007

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