Heartbreak as Skipton lose by one point to league leaders

Baildon 13

IT was heartbreak for Skipton as they lost by the narrowest of margins to Yorkshire Division Three leaders Baildon, after taking a 12-3 at half-time lead.

Baildon opened the scoring with an early penalty for a Skipton off-side but soon received their first yellow card of the afternoon for a deliberate knock-on and tries from hooker Ryan Chafer and second-row Mal Willsher saw Skipton establish a nine-point lead, with centre Miff Smith converting Willsher's try.

Two penalties in the next phase of play saw Skipton into the corner and the home side were unlucky not to gain a third try with back-row Charlie Brown being held up on the line.

It was Skipton's most impressive display of the season, but they were only able to take away a losing bonus point as Baildon ran in a converted try early in the second half.

Prop Joe Simeon was the pick of the Skipton forwards, who all impressed, as they set up wave after wave of attack with probing runs into Baildon's 22.

The visitors defended well and Skipton could not convert the pressure into further points.

To the dismay of the sizeable home crowd, Skipton were caught offside on their own 22 and the penalty kick was easily converted to give the visitors a one-point lead.

Baildon received a second yellow card and the game entered an extremely tense final ten minutes with intense pressure by Skipton on the visitors' line.

No further points were forthcoming to end a frustrating afternoon for the home crowd, who had seen their side come so close.