“SKIPTON FINISH LEAGUE SEASON WITH ANOTHER BIG WIN”
MOORTOWN 7 – 36 SKIPTON
Skipton finished their league season on Saturday in fine
style.
Considering that opponents Moortown had until recently had
promotion aspirations, this was a convincing win by the Reds who were always on
top and looked a class apart.
The fact that fellow promotees Yarnbury pipped the Reds to
take the Championship because of their better defensive record, did nothing to
spoil the party.
Skipton have had a glorious season finishing joint top and
gaining promotion, Winning 18 of their 22 games was the best in the league,
their total score of 635 points was the highest in the league and they scored
most tries in the league.
Saturday’s match was played in temperatures in the 70’s and
the pitch at
The Reds forwards were sweating it out in mid-field to pin
down the opposition and were moving out fast balls to the backs line who were
constantly looking for an overlap to get through. Eventually, after twenty
minutes, Alex Naylor joining the line from full back, outpaced the defence and
then quickly Darren Howson also went over.
No chance of converting these corner flag tries but Skipton were 10-0 up
and starting to motor.
Then just before half time, another gap in the defence
enabled centre Sean Kennedy to burst through to bag another try. With a
successful conversion by Darren Howson half time arrived with a comfortable
17-0 lead.
Immediately upon the re-start, Kennedy was there again to
score his second try of the day. Although the conversion was missed, 22-0 up
made it seem like one way traffic.
Occasionally Moortown did threaten, usually by chipping
forward over Skipton’s heads then quickly following up, but the Reds defence
was sound and particularly the forwards worked tirelessly to keep a clean
sheet. Just once and once only did the hosts manage to breach this defence and
get themselves seven points.
After this one breach, normal service resumed and Skipton
again dominated. Next to score was Alex Naylor for his second try of the day
and James Burke was now the kicker on hand to land a well taken conversion.
At this stage the Reds could have romped away were it not
for two disallowed tries from an unsighted referee. The second of these came
from a force over by Adam Oldfield who touched down perfectly in full view of
the crowd only to have the incorrect decision of “held up” given.
Nevertheless, there was no disputing the last try when prop Moa Meki forced through the defence and
then “strolled” over the line for a perfect touch down under the posts. Easily
converted by James Burke. Then the final whistle and the Reds had finished the
league season in style.
Although it was a day for the backs to shine, the forwards
all played their part. Sam Boatwright
showed he was totally back in form after his long injury lay-off, Malcolm
Willsher was the best jumper on the field and the front row of Meki, Petterd
and Riches never tired despite strong opposition on a hot day.
The Reds only remaining game is a home fixture on 28 April
when they host a touring side from Galway, Ireland.