RUGBY UNION – YORKSHIRE DIVISION 2

“VITAL WIN FOR SKIPTON PUTS THEM ONE STEP AWAY FROM YORKSHIRE ONE”

SKIPTON 25 – 11 KNOTTINGLEY

This was a vital win for the Reds in their quest for promotion and this was an entertaining game considering the atrocious weather conditions of gale force winds and driving rain.

The monsoon rains were heaviest in the first half and, not surprisingly, that part of the game was a forwards’ slogging contest in a sea of mud and water with both packs evenly matched. Open rugby was impossible and this was reflected in the half time score of 6-3 to the visitors – all the points coming from penalty kicks. Skipton’s penalty kick was by Brydon Maiava, who was in excellent form, defying the windy conditions all game.

As soon as the second half started Skipton, now with the wind behind them, got into their stride and the experienced half-back pair of Adam Oldfield and Sean Kennedy made sure that they used the elements to advantage.

Soon a try came for the Reds. From a series of short passes Chris Wilkinson weaved towards the line and fast-moving Mark Battle was there to touch down. Maiava had a rare miss with the conversion but Skipton were now in the lead. Shortly afterwards Maiava made amends with a successfully penalty kick and the Reds were now 11-6 up.

The next try resulted from Skipton’s backs being ever alert and fast on follow-up. Credit here to all the backs for staying alert despite being cold and wet. Scrum- half Oldfield was continually chipping forward to use the following wind and, when the Knottingley defence fumbled the greasy ball, Sean Kennedy won the chase to touch down for a try, which Maiava converted and it was starting to look good at 18-6.

But the visitors were still a threat and, after a grubber kick forward had gained them ground, the Knottingley forwards got a touch down in the far corner to make it 18-11. Back surged Skipton and now dominated and, after another Oldfield chip forward, it was speedy winger Paul Lacy, Skipton’s fitness coach making a rare appearance in the line up, who won the chase for the touch down. Again a good conversion by Maiava to give Skipton a 25-11 final score.

All Skipton’s forwards deserve praise. These conditions were energy-sapping but they played like trojans all day. All Skipton’s backs deserve praise for staying alert and ready despite being cold and wet. Praise also to referee Mr Steve Worrall from Sheffield who could easily have abandoned the match but the willingness of both teams to play good rugby in appalling conditions won through.

As for the league situation – only three games left. Skipton only have to win one of these to guarantee a place in Yorkshire Division 1 for the first time ever and, with only Yarnbury a threat, a single slip up by them will gift the promotion place to Skipton. Still a nail-biting finish to the end of the season! The next league game is on Saturday 29 March which gives the Reds team, some of whom are carrying injuries, a chance to recharge their batteries.