SKIPTON A 37 HALIFAX 3RD XV 12

The early kick-off found Skipton half-asleep, the Halifax half-back ran through once to have last-ditch tackling thwart him. However, the second time he touched the ball he skipped through non-existent defence to put down under the posts for a converted try. Fortunately the home side came to after spending the first fifteen minutes in their own 22. Full back Ben Davies produced a Serge Blanco-esque run to the try-line to set Skipton on their way. The ever-supporting captain Steve Marks, finished off in the corner for their second try. Third try – another powerful burst from Jim Wade to crash over. Half-time Skipton 15 Halifax 7.

With the wind behind them second half, Skipton dominated. Halifax were plucky and tried to run the ball whenever they could. Keeping the pressure on, Skip knew it was a matter of time before the tries arrived. Jim Wade pounded in for another score from 20 yards. Next up with a barn-storming romp from the half-way line, was man-mountain Andy Whitley, scattering any defender brave, or daft enough to get in his way. Skip relaxed, letting Halifax in for a consolation try, they then upped the ante again.

Steve Marks completed his brace, worrying a mistake out of his opposite number, picking up and diving over. Last try of the game came when ‘fax tried to keep the ball alive, fittingly it was the star centre partnership of Wade, tackling his man and turning him over, Marks swept up and delivered the scoring pass for winger Matt Rhodes to finish with a flourish. The howling gale made it a bad day for goal-kickers, Jack Firth converting only one.

^17th March

Team

15 Ben Davies 14 Will Huggins 13 Steve Marks

12 Jim Wade 11 Jack Firth 10 Jon Kulik

9 Brian Brocksom 8 Andy Whitley 7 Callum Cameron

6 John Grayston 5 Ash Greaves 4 Richard Hill

3 Stuart Harling 2 Dave Mitton 1 Paul Shearer

Subs

Nathan Willoughby, Peter Dutton, Matt Rhodes, Ben Spendlove

Tries

Steve Marks 2 Jim Wade 2 Ben Davies, Andy Whitley, Matt Rhodes

Conversion

Jack Firth