Harrogate Pythons 18 Skipton 12

AN early interception by centre Hamish Munro and a late second-half try by second row John Pickersgill were not enough for an understrength Skipton in the opening round of the Yorkshire Vase.

With props Luke Currie and Chris Wright, number eight Harry McEneaney, centre Jon Currie and scrum-half Jonathan Kulik all unavailable, the Skipton second string manfully stood in to give the Pythons a game.

The visitors made a good start against the big home pack with an excellent forward drive which went through many phases before being ended by a knock-on.

Stand-off Ben Brearley chipped through for winger Josh Smith to pin the home side back and a Munro interception put him clear for Skipton's opening try under the posts.

Full-back and Skipton captain Matty Langstaff added the extra points.

Skipton conceded a "truck and trailer" penalty from the re-start. The home side opted for the scrum and after four phases of play were over for the equaliser.

Determined forward play from the re-start from prop Aaron Tattersall-Davies and back row Luke Daniel gave Langstaff the opportunity to provide good tactical kicking for his wingers to run on to, but they failed to yield any points.

Penalties conceded by both sides disrupted the flow of play and the sides turned round at 7-7.

Coach Craig Bartlett sent on Skipton Seconds' stalwart prop Rob Morgan and veteran scrum-half Brian Brocksom at the start the second half.

A period of good Skipton pressure on the home side's line was brought to an end by a knock-on five yards out.

The visitors then conceded two further penalties and from the line-out the Pythons spun the ball wide for their left winger to go in at the corner. The try was not converted.

An excellent tackle from the re-start by John Willsher gave Skipton the scrum. Quick hands from Brocksom fed Langstaff but the Pythons' winger caught the ball in the corner and made a mark.

Skipton conceded a penalty from the kick down field and only a try-saving tackle by Langstaff prevented a further score.

Skipton were feeling the pressure and a further penalty to the home side for holding on was converted to increase their lead.

Another penalty followed in front of the posts for Skipton not rolling away and the Pythons added three points.

Skipton then gained a penalty of their own from the re-start for a Pythons' off-side and a forward drive put second row Pickersgill over for an unconverted try to round off the scoring.