Skipton achieved this win without even
getting into top gear and gave the home supporters plenty to cheer about. In just two home games in February, the Reds
have amassed 122 points without answer from the visitors, which has boosted the
points difference, in addition to keeping them top of the league table.
Stocksbridge must be given credit for
not capitulating despite facing a big defeat and this enabled a competitive
match to take place in which Skipton again produced a high quality performance
with every member of the eighteen man squad used playing their part. Even the
constant drizzle and wet muddy conditions did not spoil a show of excellent
rugby skill.
The forwards totally dominated. As
usual, the front row of James Riches, Gavin Petterd, Moa Meki and Phil Crossman
(after half time rotation) were mighty work- horses. In the back row, flankers
Iain Sneddon and Matty Wilson worked like terriers whilst No8 Anthony “Vinnie”
Murphy forced his way over the line for four personal tries.
In the backs, wingers Richard Curtin
and Hamish Munro were both impressive at coming forward at speed, taking the
ball and then crashing through whilst young centre James Burke was taking a
different route weaving through the centre field at every opportunity. Richard
Dillon at full back gave an impeccable performance and when twin brother Jon
was also on the field after half time in a centre role, the two Dillons had
several long distance runs down the field together, reminiscent of when the kiwi
Litt brothers played together for the Reds in 2005.
Skipton’s first score came within one
minute of the start to set the pattern for the game. From virtually the first
move, almost the entire team surged towards the Stocksbridge line and Adam
Oldfield dummied and strolled over for the first try.
In the first half, tries also came from
forwards Moa Meki and Vinnie Murphy (2),
indicating how often the mighty Skipton pack had driven forward to the
line. When the ball came out the backs defied the wet conditions and Alex
Naylor and Hamish Munro both ran in tries.
In recent times, goal kicking has been
the Red’s only Achilles heel and so it seemed again when only one of the first
half tries was converted by Alex Naylor.
In fairness several were awkward corner
angles in slippery conditions and Skipton were well satisfied with their 32 –0
half time lead.
The pattern of play in the second half
was a mirror image of the first half.
Adam Oldfield again started the scoring
with his second try of the game.
Then No 8 forward Vinnie Murphy got two
more to take his game tally up to four enabling the hardworking forward pack to
claim five of the eleven tries.
For the backs, winger Hamish Munro
scored his second try of the game.
There was much applause for the final
try which came from winger Richard Curtin, a suberbly strong fit player who is
a 100% team man and so often does the hard work but lets others have the glory
of touchdown – on this occasion he decided to go all the way himself to crash
over for Skipton’s final try.
In the second half, skipper Darren
Howson had taken over kicking and he successfully slotted over four out of five
conversions and the final whistle gave the Red’s a 65-0 victory.
Skipton remain top of the table.
Horsforth based Yarnbury are also in winning mode and remain in second place
and Saturday’s forthcoming game between the two is eagerly awaited.
Thornensians and Moortown have fallen further behind due to postponed games but
could still be in contention for the two promotion places when they catch up on
their fixture backlog.
Nevertheless, the ability and
confidence in the Skipton camp is such that they are aiming to stay at the top,
thus gaining both promotion and the championship title and after such a good
season they deserve it.