Skipton 18 Baildon 10

ANOTHER closely-contested encounter at Sandylands saw Skipton run out winners to consolidate their position in Yorkshire Three.

An early scare for the home side, following a penalty from a scrum, was cleared by full back Matty Langstaff and a scrum against the head to Skipton saw the ball moved swiftly down the back line.

Recycled first-phase ball put flanker Luke Daniel over under the posts. Langstaff converted and the home side were 7-0 up.

From the re-start a tremendous rolling maul by the Skipton forwards took them to within ten yards of Baildon's line.

They were rewarded with a penalty which Langstaff converted to stretch the home side's lead.

Skipton gained a further penalty in the next phase of play for a Baildon high tackle, which was put into the corner.

Winger Jamie Barker was unlucky not to go over from the line-out. He was bundled into touch after hitting the corner flag.

A minute later the opposite winger Jack McLeod was denied at the other corner, with a forward pass ending the move.

The Skipton forwards then exerted further pressure on Baildon's line and from a penalty opted for the scrum.

Scrum-half Sam Brearley was held up but from the resultant five yard scrum quick hands down the line put McLeod over in the corner. The try was not converted but Skipton had established a 15-0 lead.

Coach Craig Bartlett then made some changes, with flankers Luke Daniel and Jordan Wilson being replaced by John Willsher and Andrew Wooler.

Intense pressure on Skipton's line saw the visitors over for their first try through No8 Dan Cookson after a series of penalties were conceded by the home side. The try was not converted.

Skipton again took a scrum against the head and a penalty for a Baildon offside gave Langstaff a chance at goal. He converted to stretch home side's lead to 18-5 at the break.

Following early exchanges in the second period, Baildon crossed for a try in the corner but Skipton were given a break as the visitors' winger dropped the ball before touching down.

Despite excellent forward work from No8 Harry McEneaney, flanker John Willsher and hooker Charlie Brown, handling errors disrupted Skipton's play and points went begging.

Baildon received a yellow card for a nasty high tackle on McLeod and the penalty was put into the corner.

To the home crowd's dismay, Baildon kicked through and broke away from the line-out back down to Skipton's line, with only a desperate clearance by Langstaff over the dead-ball line preventing a try.

Baildon were awarded a five yard scrum from which they gained a second unconverted try by prop Adam Hewitt.

Skipton came back with a vengeance, with a great break by McLeod, and were awarded a penalty for Baildon offside.

The penalty was not converted but time had run out and the final whistle sounded with the score at 18-10 in the home side's favour.