EDF NATIONAL JUNIOR VASE ROUND 4

HULLENSIANS 12 – 0 SKIPTON

SKIPTON’S winning run of nine consecutive games ended on Saturday when they were knocked out of the EDF Energy National Junior Vase competition at the 4th Round stage.

The Reds, unable to train during the previous week due to waterlogged pitches at Sandylands, produced a rare lacklustre display but against a tough home side determined to win, second best was not good enough.

All credit must go to Hullensians. They had studied Skipton’s winning style from match reports and their successful game plan was to completely starve the Reds of ball possession – their own backs rarely touched the ball but Skipton’s backs never even saw the ball. Indeed, twenty two men on the field were largely superfluous; such was the dominant possession by the eight Hullensians’ forwards. Not entertaining to watch but it got them the result.

Skipton deserve credit for excellent defence which restricted the score to one try in each half, unlike the previous week when Hullensians had amassed 62 points against their opposition. But the Reds, having restricted the hosts to only 5-0 at half time and still able to win, should have realized that the scope for their own usual classy play did not exist this week and fifteen men should have entered the fray to retaliate and beat them at their own game rather than hover and wait for scoring opportunities from a ball which never came.

Throughout the first half the Hullensians pack, which included more than a sprinkling of rugby league players, surged time and time again to the Skipton line but to Skipton’s credit the defence kept them out with only one push over try conceded. The Reds only glimpse of a score was a long range penalty attempt but Alex Naylor’s kick fell short. Half time score 5-0 to Hullensians.

After half time, James Riches came on for Phil Crossman and Richard Hill for Malcolm Willsher as tactical replacements in the forwards but to no avail. Hullensians pack continued to dominate in every aspect of the forward play and eventually scored their second try which was converted. At 12- 0 up, Hullensians closed the ball down even more keeping play on the ground in the forwards, grinding out their win. Despite the lack of success at least Skipton’s pack deserves credit for soaking up the battering. Flanker Iain Sneddon particularly tried to break the mould but even his quick bursts came to nothing this week.

In the second half, the Skipton backs did occasionally manage to get a hand on the ball but they were quickly stifled. Young centre James Burke again showing up well. Top scorer Alex Naylor, who learnt his rugby at neighbouring Hull Ionians, was known to the home side and had no scope being heavily marked all day, another example of the winners having done their homework.

With the EDF Vase out of the frame, Skipton can now concentrate on their main task of gaining league promotion which is easily in their grasp this season. However, with training more difficult in the bad weather and with games being played on heavier pitches, the high scores and easy wins they achieved earlier in the season will be harder to come by and maximum commitment and concentration will be needed by the whole squad in the weeks ahead.