YORKSHIRE THREE

Skipton 20

Leeds Corinthians 24

A TRY in the last seconds of the game by Leeds Corinthians robbed Skipton of victory in a closely fought encounter at a bitterly cold Sandylands on Saturday.

Coming back from 12-7 down at half-time, the home side established a narrow 20-17 lead only to see it go west in the dying moments.

Corinthians had brought a large crowd of travelling supporters and although Skipton had most of the early possession and went very close following a clever kick through and chase by skipper Hamish Munro, a charge down against the run of play put the visitors' left wing clear and he was over for an unconverted try in the corner to the thunderous applause of the away crowd.

The game then swayed in Corinthians' favour. They had a penalty compounded ten metres for backchat to the referee by Skipton and two further penalties for the home side handling on the ground, from which they were over for a second converted try under the posts.

Skipton settled and re-grouped and great forward play through many phases took them to Corinthians' line.

A deliberate knock-on gained the visitors a yellow card. Skipton opted for the scrum from the penalty and a sweet pass from scrum half Jack McLeod put left wing Sam Brearley over for Skipton's first try. Stand-off Yvarne Carroll added the extra points and the sides turned round at 12-7 to Corinthians.

The re-start kick was collected on the full by McLeod who advanced the ball to Corinthians' 22.

He was brought down by a high tackle and Carroll converted the penalty to claw back three points.

The re-start saw another great period of Skipton play taking them to the visitors' line. Corinthians conceded a penalty for not releasing and Skipton opted for the scrum. They were rewarded with a penalty try for Corinthians illegally obstructing a push-over.

Skipton full back Mike McLachlan was unlucky not to collect a great chip through by Carroll from the re-start and although Corinthians gained a penalty for Skipton holding on at the breakdown, the decision was reversed and Corinthians received a red card for a punch on Skipton second row Andy Wooler.

Carroll slotted the kick to take Skipton to 20-12.

The Corinthian backs had pace and used it to good effect in the next phase of play to create an overlap on the right and gain an unconverted try in the corner.

Skipton suffered a late setback with a yellow card for second row Rick Willsher for holding on.

The attempt at goal by Corinthians was not successful, but they were awarded six or seven penalties in the last two minutes of the game for infringements on the ground by Skipton.

They ran them all and, despite stoic defence by Skipton, eventually the pressure told and Corinthians were over for a fourth try on the stroke of full-time, leaving Skipton with only a losing bonus point from an afternoon of determined and entertaining rugby.

Simon Smith