SKIPTON A 44 – 22 WEST LEEDS A

As the scoreline suggests, a highly entertaining afternoons’ rugby at Sandylands. Playing into the wind, Skipton tried to run the ball straight from the kick-off, too ambitious, too early. They made a mistake and West Leeds opened the scoring with a penalty. West then scored a well-worked try to go into in an 8-0 lead. Skipton became more pragmatic and started driving through the forwards. This tactic set up the position for 18th birthday boy Paddy Murray to surge over from fifteen metres out. A missed penalty kick at goal was pounced on by the ever-alert Gordon Fisher to put Skipton in front at half-time. Half-time – Skipton 10 West Leeds 8

Second half, more forward driving and quick ball released hooker Dave Mitton to score in the corner. Then a well-worked move from the base of a scrum by Carl Watts and Mike Beech set winger Jon Dillon away with 60 metres to go, this he accomplished with real speed and style, stepping and arcing away from the covering defenders to finish with pace and panache.

West did not lie down and closed the gap when their huge prop forward bounced over from close-in to make it 20-15. Skipton stepped up a gear, line-out forward supreme, Ash Greaves fought his way over for his first senior try. Quickly followed by Gordon Fisher, who got over for his second of the day and slipped himself into top try-scorer position for the season. Man-of-the-match Callum Cameron was next on the score-sheet, the flanker saw a gap and was quick enough to get in. Next up, Jon Kulik who reacted to a defensive error to stride in. Jack Firth converted two. West deservedly had the last word, with a converted try in the corner.

The forwards were the key, punishing in the scrum, perfect in the line-out and rumbled onwards to great effect. John Firth and Richard Hill were prominent throughout. Debutant Sam Smith at ten gave direction to proceedings and the backs ran hard and straight. Special mention to pack leader Carl Watts, who gave a virtuoso performance. When he wasn’t selling dummies, he was spiralling fifty metre torpedo punts into the corners.

27 January

Team

15 Chris Wilkinson 14 Jon Dillon 13 Jon Kulik

12 Steve Marks 11 John Hughes 10 Sam Smith

9 Mike Beech 8 Paddy Murray 7 Callum Cameron

6 Carl Watts 5 Richard Hill 4 Ash Greaves

3 Stuart Harling 2 Dave Mitten 1 John Firth

Subs

John Greystone Gordon Fisher Jack Firth

Tries

Gordon Fisher 2, Paddy Murray, Dave Mitton, Jon Dillon, Ash Greaves, Callum Cameron and Jon Kulik.

Conversions

Jack Firth 2