YORKSHIRE DIVISION THREE MATCH

WATH UPON DEARNE 8 – 38 SKIPTON

Skipton stormed back to winning ways after last week’s blip with a stunning second half display producing 38 points to nil.

On the outskirts of Rotherham, Wath is not an attractive place and equally there is nothing attractive about their style of rugby where aggression and foul play seems to be accepted as normal. This was the sort of game which last season the Reds regularly lost away from home but this season, even with a half time deficit of 8-0, they have the confidence and ability to win.

Wath’s half time lead was, in fact, surreal because Skipton’s forwards were always dominant and for most of the half the Reds had most of the play. A break by centre Sean Kennedy had put Alex Naylor over the line early on but the try was disallowed and several forward surges over the line were pulled back for minor infringements. Wath meanwhile had accumulated 8 points by virtue of a try and a penalty.

Once again the performance of Skipton’s pack could only be described as awesome and it was they who were bullying Wath in the scrum despite Wath’s underhand bullying tactics. Prop Phil Crossman worked like a trojan, Gavin Petterd at hooker was regularly stealing their ball and the Willsher brothers absolutely dominated the jumping in the line.

At half time Mike Beech came on for Richard Curtin who was suffering from mild concussion following some earlier foul play by the opposition and the back division was re-shuffled and Alex Naylor was brought forward from full back. In the pack Peter Jenkinson rotated with Phil Crossman and in due course Matty Wilson came on for Adam Oldfield who had taken a knock.

From the re-start whistle Skipton’s rout of the home side started. Centre Sean Kennedy was first to score a try. He was closely followed by forward flanker Iain Sneddon who darted over the line from an opportunist interception so typical of this outstanding player who is always looking for chance opportunities. Then Darren Howson saw a gap, made ground, before off loading to Mike Beech who sprinted in over the line. Now it was Sean Kennedy’s turn again, his second try being high in entertainment value when he dived over the last defender to touch down. Alex Naylor was not going to miss out on the score sheet so he bagged the next try after a typical Naylor weaving run and the final try went to speedy winger Richard Dillon who simply outpaced the demoralized defence.

So 30 points in 30 minutes from six tries, four of which were enhanced by conversions from Alex Naylor who skillfully judged the gusty wind which would have deflected a lesser kicker. This comprehensive win puts Skipton joint third in the league table.