RUGBY UNION –
This was
another good comprehensive win for Skipton which keeps them top of the table.
Despite losing
influential forward Moa Meki with a broken rib in the very first minute of the
game, the Reds were always on top and once again supreme fitness and total
teamwork was the winning formula in a highly entertaining game.
The first
score came from a fluent back line move.
Full back Alex Naylor brought the ball forward, Adam Oldfield crashed
through defenders, George Smithson used his strength to gain further ground and
ever-alert winger Hamish Munro finished it off for an excellent try.
From then on
the whole pattern of the game was established.
Skipton’s forwards were strong and united exerting constant pressure,
the half back pair of Oldfield and Howson were controlling the game and the
backs were eagerly looking for the try line at every opportunity.
Not that Goole
were an easy opposition but the Reds’ defence this year is equally as
impressive as their scoring ability which is why, in the first four games of
the season, Skipton have scored 159 points and conceded only 32.
After a long
period of pressure the next score came from a push over try by Oldfield and this
was quickly followed by a try from forward Malcolm Willsher who galloped over
in the corner. A conversion by Naylor
brought the tally to 17-0 at half time.
In the second
half Goole were beginning to tire and the Reds forwards just got better and
better. The front row of John Firth,
Chris Sheehan and Phil Crossman (and replacement Peter Jenkinson later in the
game) were a mighty combination. Malcolm
Willsher and Richard Hill were the jumpers gaining ball time and time
again. Rick Willsher, Michel Snowden and
Matthew Boatwright at the back constantly snuffed out any threat from the
opposition and still found time to break free and gain ground whenever ball was
to hand.
Meanwhile the
score was going up. Naylor had gained three points from a penalty kick and
Skipton gained a further five points from a try from Darren Howson.
Then the game
really opened up. Full back Alex Naylor
grabbed an interception and weaved his way down the full length of the field
for a wonderful solo try which had the crowd on its feet. He then calmly converted it. Score now 32-0.
Further
scoring seemed inevitable. The speedy
young backs, Liam Ray, James Burke and Lee Shaw, were all hungry for a try but
it was Alex Naylor who came forward into the line and finished off the final
try taking a perfectly timed pass from Oldfield to finish the game in style.