RUGBY UNION –
SKIPTON 40 – LEODENSIANS 7
Following
last week’s stunning 69 – 10 win in the EDF Vase Competition, the Reds turned
their attention this week to their first league fixture of the season and
produced an equally impressive performance to run out easy winners.
Last
week they had the highest score in the North in the Vase and this week the
highest score in the league and so they start life in Yorkshire Division 2 as
‘top of the table’.
Right
from the start, Skipton’s backs looked threatening with the young duo of Hamish
Munro and James Burke making quick threatening bursts but, unlike last week,
the opposition defence was better and so no immediate score.
Then,
after twenty minutes, full-back Lee Battle saw a gap and galloped over the line
for a superb solo try which was converted by Darren Howson and so 7-0 up.
Within
minutes, George Smithson replicated this with a powerful burst for the line,
discarding defenders en route. Again, the try was converted by Howson and half
time arrived with Skipton in a comfortable 14-0 lead.
At
half time, the forwards were re-organised with Paul Shearer coming off the
bench to prop – he is normally the 2nd XV captain but showed that he is still
worthy of a 1st XV place when necessary. He joined prop John Firth who is in
excellent form this season and this enabled Moa Meki to move back to No 8 where
this strong Samoan player is best placed.
In
the second half, the Reds turned on the heat to match the rising temperature
off the field on a hot sunny afternoon with a large appreciative crowd. The
back line of Naylor, Smithson, Burke and Munro gave a display of free flowing
rugby with quick accurate passing and impeccable ball handling.
In
the second half, Skipton centre James Burke scored three tries and skipper
Darren Howson one try and Howson successfully gained three more conversions.
Leodiensians only reply was a converted push over try during a rare period of
pressure on the Skipton line.
In
the opening two games of the season, Skipton have scored 109 points and
conceded only 17 and this is a team with true potential. The coaching team of
Adam Oldfield, Paul Lacy and Martin Whitcombe are doing an excellent job.
Lacy’s
fitness regime has ensured that, even on a hot sunny early season Saturday, the
team does not flag and tire and once again the benefits of fitness training
throughout summer paid dividends in Saturday’s match.
But
the main success is the team spirit with the whole team playing as a team
without trying to gain individual glory. The forwards are a strong cohesive
unit allowing the half back pair of Oldfield and Howson to direct play and the
backs are playing unselfish rugby by moving the ball around with the sole aim
of scoring. Early days yet, but an
exciting season in prospect.