SKIPTON Knights took on one of the strongest teams in the Merit League at the weekend and came out on top.

The Akkies- a well-established club who play out of Leeds Mods RUFC, just like the Knights came with a big squad but player /coach Darren Greenwood knew how key defence would be on the day.

The game started with the Knights completing their sets and putting pressure on the Akkies backline.

On the fifth and last kick from Josh Nkwo, the ball bounced off an Akkies player's hands and straight in to the hands of Chris Stead to powered over and Dean Barritt converted the two.

On the kick return, winger Harry Armstrong collected and went the length of the field for a well-deserved try.

Barritt missed and the score was 10-0 to the Knights,.

Vice-captain Gary Lancaster was next over the white wash for the knights and the Akkies had no reply. Barritt converted to make it 16-0 to the Knights.

After twenty minutes, the Knights brought on Paddy Smith and Jacob Midgeley off the bench to freshen up the front row and it paid off when second row ,Xander Mcconville, powered over from 20 yards out to give the Knights a commanding half time lead at 20-0.

A Leeds Accies fight back could have been on the cards when their hooker split the Knights markers and went over.

But the Knights responded well and hit straight back.

A fast flowing move saw Stead in for his second to cap off a great try.

Shortly after, Caleb Mcconville scored a fantastic try of his own and also converted from the touch line.

At this point it was 30-6 to the Knights but the Akkies were not done there.

A double movement near the Knights line saw their defence split open and Akkies benefitted from this by going over.

Like before, the Knights replied instantly with some amazing work from captain Charlie Brown to feed Tony Spensley.

Spensley couldn't miss from there and went over with ease to reaffirm the Knight's control on the game once again. Harrison Clamp converted.

With the game swinging like a pendulum, Akkies once again replied to close the deficit.

Their number seven saw a gap in the Knights chain and took full advantage of it.

He made them pay and dived over, but again the Knight where not to be out done.

Kyle Hargreaves went over for the host's final try of the day, to round off a fantastic all-round team performance from a Skipton side who soldier on.

The Knights now play there last game of the season on Saturday.

Elland A travel to Skipton on this occasion for a 2:30PM kick off.

The Knights will be hoping to end the campaign with a bang by following on from their eye-catching Akkies display.