Skipton 39 - Hemsworth 5

A SEVEN try haul saw Skipton gain a valuable bonus league point to bolster their position in Yorkshire Three.

The home side kicked-off into the strong westerly wind and, from an early penalty to the visitors, Skipton stole the line-out ball and skipper Hamish Munro broke the line to put his team ahead. Stand-off Lewis Reynoldson added the extra points.

Attacking play into the wind by the back three of Walker, Jeffrey and Lacey gave Skipton territorial advantage. A Hemsworth penalty in their own 22 put the ball into touch but Skipton stole the line-out ball again and second-row Andy Wooler was over for the home side's second try. The conversion attempt drifted wide in the wind.

Young Ben Walker, at full-back for Skipton, suffered concussion in the next exchange and had to leave the field, being replaced by their new signing from Windermere, Toby Crook.

A penalty to Hemsworth for Skipton holding on gave the visitors a scrum close in, after a long-range kick and a Skipton knock-on.

Quick hands from the scrum saw Hemsworth over for their only try of the afternoon.

Quick hands by Skipton from the base of the scrum following a Hemsworth knock-on in the next phase of play saw Munro in for his second try and the sides turned round at 17-5 to Skipton.

The home side got off to a cracking start with the wind behind them in the second-half and only a dropped last pass and a forward pass denied them two tries in the first five minutes.

Skipton then drove Hemsworth off the ball at the scrum and a great drive by No. 8 Anthony Chapman was only ended by a knock-on five metres out.

Jake Emmison came on at scrum-half to replace Miff Smith and very swift work from the next scrum saw winger Callum Jeffrey over for Skipton's fourth try, earning the bonus point.

The visitors cleared from the ruck at the re-start but Skipton used the wind to pin them back into the corner, then stole the ball at the line-out and hooker Charlie Brown was over for Skipton's fifth.

Skipton Coach Craig Bartlett then brought Tom Allsopp into the Skipton pack and Adam Hardwick into the back-line.

Some ill-tempered play saw two yellow cards issued, one for each side, but Skipton put the incident behind them and Wooler was over for his second try of the afternoon from great forward play.

Allsopp set up the last try of the game with a tremendous solo drive, taking three Hemsworth players with him.

The ball was re-cycled under the posts and Jeffrey was over for his second try and Skipton's seventh.

Reynoldson added the extra points to round off a good afternoon for the Reds.

All players gave 100% but man of the match for Skipton was No. 8 Anthony Chapman for his reading of the game, devastating tackles and ball handling at the ruck.

Skipton play local rivals West Park Leeds at Sandylands next Saturday, in what is expected to be an eye catching fixture.

Can Skipton make it two on the bounce?