SKIPTON A 38 BRADFORD & BINGLEY 3rds 20

Playing into the wind first half, Skipton produced their best forty minutes of the season. Under the cosh for the first fifteen minutes, Bees really applied the pressure. First break was from the visitors’ lively scrum-half, who sped away from the base of a scrum, only to be cut down in full flight by Ben Davies. Skip spent fully ten minutes on their own line, the defence was that good that Bees had to settle for a drop-goal.

This was a boost for Skip, who from the kick-off turned the tables. Securing possession, working through a set of phases, culminating in scrum-half Malc Dutton popping prop Jon Firth into a gap for Skip’s first score.

The line-out was a treat, Ash Greaves and Sam Boatwright securing everything. Centre Jim Wade, breaking tackles, getting over the gain-line every time. Forwards powering the ball in, mixing the play well, no kicking, all this into the wind, keeping ball in hand. Another big moment, flanker Sam Boatwright, who’d had a couple of cameo appearances in the last two games, after eleven months out with a shoulder injury, tested that shoulder out. A massive hit right under the stand, much to the home crowd’s pleasure, pole-axed the Bees winger. The winger jumped to his feet smiling, no doubt the wind had forced his teeth through his lips.

On the end of all the good work, fly-half James Burke, whose hot-stepping and quick-silver feet were too much for the visitors’ defence. He scored a first-half hat-trick, scything through at regular intervals. He converted two of the four scores. Half-time Skipton 24 Bees 3

Skipton started the second-half well, another comeback kid George Smithson, breaking through from the halfway line and striding away to touchdown under the posts for a converted try. Bees stuck to the task well, scoring three tries as the first-half endeavours took their toll on the Skip players. Substitutions were made, one of these, winger Lee Shaw, burst through from forty yards. This took some scoring, power and a step, followed by pace to get away from the covering defenders.

All in all, a tremendous team performance. Difficult to pick a man-of –the-match.Up front, seniors, Paul Shearer and Richard Hill, with powerful ball carrying and some big tackles in defence. Sam Boatwright at seven, covered every inch of the park, securing Skip loose ball and stealing some of the Bees ball.

In the backs, Jim Wade was his usual crash ball force, always making ground. Wingers John Hughes and Steve Marks, when they got a pass, looked dangerous. But man-of-the-match with 23 points, 3 tries, 4 conversions, solid defence and evasive running has to be fly-half James Burke.

Saturday 24 March 2007

Team

15 Ben Davies 14 John Hughes 13 George Smithson

12 Jim Wade 11 Steve Marks 10 James Burke

9 Malcolm Dutton 8 Richard Hill 7 Sam Boatwright

6 Chris Sheehan 5 Ash Greaves 4 Paul Shearer

3 Stuart Harling 2 Dave Mitton 1 Jon Firth

Subs

John Grayston, Gordon Fisher, Lee Shaw, Peter Dutton

Tries

Jon Firth, James Burke 3, George Smithson, Lee Shaw

Conversion

James Burke 4