RUGBY
UNION –
WHEATLEY HILLS
10 – 35 SKIPTON
SKIPTON
maintained their discipline and easily won this match despite aggressive
opposition from a team who collected a red card and two yellows for foul play.
En- route, Skipton lost both Alex Naylor and James Riches with injuries caused
by blatant fouls against them.
Ironically,
Wheatley Hills had fast moving backs who collected two tries during the
afternoon but instead of using them they preferred to play a robust forwards
game which created a game littered with penalties.
Skipton’s
forwards were magnificent in repelling this barrage of attack as was Adam
Oldfield at No 9 who received much unwanted attention from the opposition
throughout the game. The Reds front row of Phil Crossman, Gavin Petterd and
James Riches/John Firth were iron strong, jumpers Malcolm Willsher and Matthew
Boatwright /Richard Hill excelled in the line out and the back three of Michael
Snowden, Iain Sneddon and Sam Boatwright were always in the fray.
Not
surprisingly, Skipton’s first score was a successful penalty kick by Darren
Howson.
The second
score came from a quick tap penalty with Alex Naylor then sprinting forward,
gathering the loose ball and diving airborne for the Reds first try.
Possibly this
put Naylor under scrutiny because very soon he was laid out by the opposition
with an iIlegal high tackle. This enabled Howson to
gain a further successful penalty kick but lost Naylor for the rest of the
game.
Next on the
scoresheet for Skipton was a try from Lee Battle, who always impresses at
full-back with classy play brought from his experience at a higher level. His
catching, kicking forward, chasing and catching again is text book stuff and
brought him two tries on Saturday, even from his full-back position.
The finale of
the first half was another team effort try. Started with a powerful burst
through by Phil Crossman, the Reds surged forward and it was centre George
Smithson who eventually used his strength to force through for touch down. Howson converted and a half time score line
of 23-5 was very comfortable for the Reds.
In the second
half, the pack was bolstered by bringing on fresh legs with Richard Hill and
John Firth entering the fray. Firth had already been on as cover for blood
injuries in the first half but was now on permanently as James Riches had had
another facial battering from the opposition. Jon Dillon was already on for the
injured Naylor.
Skipton’s next
score was another try from Lee Battle and a conversion from Howson. The Reds
score was mounting nicely although an isolated Wheatley Hills try had reminded
the Reds that the opposition were still in the game.
By now Skipton
were right on top but were sensibly playing a cautious disciplined game. Centre
James Burke, whose ever active style of play looked most likely to breach the
defence, had several strong breaks but was stopped short.
Then right at
the end, prop John Firth who is a player really enjoying his rugby this season,
picked up a loose ball and when he has the line in sight there is no stopping
him and with a big smile bagged Skipton’s final try.
A scoreline of
35-10 and a consolidated top of the table position was a good day’s work for
the Reds.