YORKSHIRE DIVISION THREE MATCH

“SKIPTON WIN AGAIN AND SHARE TOP SPOT”

DONCASTER PHOENIX 19 – 22 SKIPTON

SKIPTON travelled to South Yorkshire for this ‘top of the table’ clash knowing that both teams saw this game as vital to promotion hopes. Skipton took the honours and, having collected the vital league points, are now second in the table; level with leaders Thornensians who have a game in hand.

This was the Reds at their best showing true character, fighting back from 14-5 down in the first half and having lost the services of centre Sean Kennedy off with injury early in the game.

The game did not start well for Skipton with Phoenix scoring a converted try within minutes but then forward Vinnie Murphy, who had an excellent game throughout, burst clear for the Reds and scored a solo try outpacing the chasing defenders.

But almost immediately Phoenix were there again with another converted try and with a score of 14-5 they seemed to be getting on top. With the Reds losing Kennedy, they had also had to re-organise with Matty Wilson coming in as flanker and Iain Sneddon moving to the backs.

But then came a turning point when Alex Naylor caught the ball in a classic interception and, like the earlier Murphy try, he outpaced the chasing defenders and, having touched down under the posts, took his own conversion and the Reds were back in the game.

Then came ten minutes of frantic play but Skipton defence was sound and kept the score at a tight 14-12 at half time with all fifteen Skipton players playing their part against the heaviest pack in the league and against backs who had speed but looked like forwards!

With the advantage of the wind behind them, Skipton were soon boosted by a penalty kick by Naylor to nudge into a 15-14 lead. However joy turned to despair when, completely against the run of play, the Phoenix back line ran in a try, fortunately unconverted, but nevertheless the hosts were back in the lead.

But the Reds don’t lie down these days and the next few minutes saw some superb play – the Reds forwards battering away at the opposition and the ball coming out to the backs whenever possible. Eventually Naylor got through for his second try, which again he converted and Skipton were back in the lead at 22-19.

The final twenty minutes were nail biting for the large Skipton band of supporters but every superlative could be used to describe the way Skipton played. Phoenix were desperate to retain their unbeaten home record but every Skipton forward gave more than 100%, particularly the front row of Riches, Petterd and Meki, the latter revelling in a chance to show Samoan style ball carrying skill. Adam Oldfield was always to the fore and Vinnie Murphy at No 8 was breaking and carrying the ball round the blind side, continually gaining ground. Chris Wibberley at scrum half played an intelligent controlling game and the backs were always there waiting but, at this stage in the game, their crunching defence was needed more than attack.

Despite the tight score, this was Skipton’s best win of the season.