SKIPTON
39 – 15 AIREBOROUGH
SKIPTON got their promotion campaign back in gear on
Saturday and are now second in the league table.
This was a comprehensive victory over visitors who have been
playing well latterly. Skipton took a little while to settle down and were 8 –
0 down before getting into gear. But the Reds were 10 – 8 in the lead by half
time and then gave a stunning second half display to run out easy winners by
seven tries to two.
Although this was an overall team effort, the key to the big
score was taking every opportunity with flair which had the large crowd on its
feet several times in the second half as Skipton’s speedy backs whizzed in the
tries with centre Sean Kennedy giving an outstanding display on his return from
injury and work commitments.
The team saw several changes from recent weeks. One key
change was seasoned campaigner Adam Oldfield returning to his old position of
scrum half and he excelled in controlling the game from this pivotal role.
Skipton’s first score came from Oldfield when he burst over
the line for a try. Next score came from a long bursting run by captain Darren
Howson with Sean Kennedy chasing, to back up and finish off for another try.
Conversions impossible into the strong wind but the Aireborough lead had now
gone and the Reds were in front 10-8 at half time.
In the second half it was all Skipton’s game. Although it
was the backs who dominated the score sheet, the forwards were equally
impressive particularly the front row trio of Chris Sheehan, Gavin Petterd and
James Riches.
Indeed it was a total team effort that re-opened the scoring
in the second half. Oldfield forcing his way forward, the pack carrying the
ball forward and then just at the right moment flanker Matthew Boatwright
passing the ball to winger Hamish Munro who had sprinted from the back line
like an express train and burst over to score.
Next try came from a solo effort by the other winger Richard
Dillon. This one converted by Alex Naylor and the score 22-8.
Not that Aireborough were giving up and temporarily they
looked threatening again when they broke away for a converted try but this just
spurred Skipton on and it was then all one way traffic.
Soon Sean Kennedy was on the score sheet again and once
again because he was closely following a bursting run by Oldfield, who switched
to Munro and the move then finished off by Kennedy.
The forwards, totally solid and reliable as a cohesive unit,
wanted to be on the score sheet and this time they powered towards the line
with Boatwright then shipping the ball to Vinnie Murphy for a try. Reward to
Murphy who worked hard all day at No8.
In the final minutes, Adam Oldfield came off to be rested
and this gave the opportunity for young Jonathan Kulik to make his debut in a
1st XV league game as scrum half joining Hamish Munro and James Burke on the
field – all products of Skipton’s Colts team.
It was appropriate that Burke, who a had worked tirelessly
all day, got Skipton’s final try and with this converted by Darren Howson a
very satisfied Skipton team left the field with a 39-15 victory and two points
in the bag.