Skipton 55 Ossett 0

by Simon Smith

SKIPTON'S improving form under new coach Dave Duxbury continued with an emphatic eight-try victory over Yorkshire Division Four rivals Ossett.

The new Sports Lottery funded training pitch proved to be worth every penny, as its use allowed the fixture to go ahead at an otherwise rain soaked and sodden Sandylands.

A record home league crowd saw Skipton begin the match as they meant to go on with a characteristic opening run by full-back Matty Langstaff who floated the ball to second row Harry Maceneaney for Skipton's first try under the posts within minutes of the kick-off. Langstaff added the extra points.

Home crowd favourite Maceneaney was also instrumental in Skipton's second try when, from a rolling maul, he off-loaded to centre Hamish Munro and gave him a clear run to the line.

Langstaff again added the extra points. Two incisive runs by right-wing Jack McLeod were called back by the touch judge for foot in touch, but a penalty to Skipton for Ossett holding on allowed Langstaff to stretch the home side's lead.

An excellent return from the re-start by back row Matty Wilson put Munro away again. He fed left-wing Josh Smith for Skipton's third try with Langstaff again adding the extra points. The re-start did not go ten yards and quick ball from the resulting scrum put McLeod over for Skipton's fourth try, securing the bonus league point.

Skipton again used the rolling maul in the next phase of play from which Liam Jordan broke and off-loaded to Langstaff for try number five. Langstaff converted and Skipton had established a commanding 36-0 lead.

A period of Ossett pressure was then contained by Skipton. A penalty for an offence at the scrum by the home side put Ossett into Skipton's 25 for the first time in the game.

From a further penalty Ossett came dangerously close to Skipton's line until Maceneaney wrestled possession from the visitors. Jordan and scrum-half Kullick cleared and the sides turned round with no further score.

Early in the second half Skipton were awarded a free kick for Ossett feeding at the scrum which put McLeod away down the right wing but a penalty was given away at the break down.

A few minutes later a great break by Langstaff put centres Jon Currie and Munro away but the last pass was adjudged to have been forward and further points seemed to be eluding the home side.

Luke Stockton put things right with a great break from the forwards, passing to McLeod on the right wing. Josh Smith gathered at the break down from the opposite wing and went over for Skipton's sixth try, again converted by Langstaff.

Smith was straight back into the action with Skipton's seventh try after an excellent penalty return from deep in Skipton's 25. The try was not converted. In the last few minutes of the game a great individual break by Stockton gave him the final honours of the day with Skipton's eighth try. Langstaff added the extra points to put the seal on the game.

This was a great all-round performance by Skipton and was a very satisfying result for coach Duxbury as he sees the team begin to climb up the division.