SKIPTON 2ND XV 17 – 22 YORK R.I. 2ND XV

Skipton started their season at a windy Sandylands with a side far removed from the one selected the previous Sunday and were lucky to be able to draw on players from the 3rd XV whose game had been cancelled. Against a York side which had been a league higher last season this would always be a test, but having lost key players into the 1st XV squad the task was potentially immense. However, there is a new belief at Skipton these days and with a few old heads and players from the Colts, squad horns were well and truly locked.

From the kick off it became clear that the forwards, lead by captain Paul Shearer, were clearly dominant. Front five Shearer, Gareth Hindle (playing his first game after long term injury), Alex Farquhar, Andy Whitley and 17 year old Ryan Binner won scrum after scrum and flankers Callum Cameron & Ben Hall were on top form in the lineout. Martin Murray, only weeks after his 17th birthday at No.8, hardly put a foot wrong and along with Binner and Whitley made the hard yards. Unfortunately with the side being pulled together at short notice the side lacked cohesion and the forward dominance did not bear its full fruit on the scoreboard with York always one score in front.

Scorers for Skipton were Andy Whitley, crashing over from a penalty, followed by Farquhar, who having intercepted a York pass dashed then staggered in from 30 metres and lastly Murray who benefited from the strength of the front five to score a pushover try on his debut converted by fly half Jonny Kulik. Skipton came close to stealing the game at the finish driven on by the guile and strength of Ben Oldfield. Overall, although disappointed to lose, the changing room was positive. Ben Hall, Ryan Binner and Martin Murray looked like jewels for the future and Dave Wilkinson, also on debut, looked confident although out of position. Chris Wilkinson and Gareth Hindle can only improve on polished performances following layoffs, Nathan Willoughby was strong in attack and defence and John Grayston impressed when coming off the bench in the 2nd half and deserves his start against Aireborough on Saturday.