SKIPTON STUN YARNBURY AND STAY TOP
This was Skipton at its very best and what was expected to
be a tough contest turned into an easy win for the Reds who stay at the top of
the table.
In the first twenty minutes there was no score and the two
teams seemed evenly matched but once Skipton got into top gear they dominated
the match.
The Reds looked comfortable with a 17-3 lead at half time
and then in the second half piled on another 21 points with a super display of
fast open rugby in which their supreme level of fitness was a factor.
As so often this season, Hamish Munro was Skipton’s opening
scorer. He grub kicked a loose ball forward and then, chased by three
defenders, won the sprint for the line for a try which Darren Howson converted.
Within minutes, Munro had started another fine movement this
time linking with winger Liam Ray. Once in possession, Ray sprinted like a
bullet over the line in the far corner but then had the confidence to weave
down the line to touch down under the posts. Darren Howson’s conversion was a
formality to make the score 14-0.
With one successful penalty kick to each team in this
opening half, half-time arrived with the score at 17-3 to the Reds.
At half time Skipton made no changes albeit Jon Dillon was
already on the field for George Smithson who had come off injured. It was
Dillon, another speedy winger, who zipped in for Skipton’s next try. An
impossible angle prevented the conversion but Skipton were now 22-3 up.
Leaking Yarnbury’s only try, in a rare defensive error,
merely galvanized the Reds for a great finale. With talent on the bench as well
as the field it was also decided to bring on fresh legs and Rick Willsher and
Gavin Petterd (newly returned from
Next to score was Malcolm Willsher who, although used as
Skipton’s key line out jumper, is becoming a regular try scorer as well. His
try came from a period of sustained pressure by the Skipton’ forwards who were
magnificent on the day.
Then some more Munro magic. After another period of forward
pressure on the visitor’s line, Adam Oldfield was continually looking for an
opportunity and on this occasion he moved the ball out high. Hamish Munro came
forward from the backs and took a flying dive, collected the ball en route,
went over the top of the remaining defenders and touched down for a spectacular
try.
In the final minute, winger Jon Dillon sped in for his
second try, Darren Howson converted and the final whistle blew to give Skipton
another comprehensive victory.
All the players are good in this united team. The forwards
remain a strong cohesive unit, the half backs are experienced and innovative
and the backs are ever eager for the scoreline. It is a real pleasure to watch
the team this season.