RUGBY UNION – YORKSHIRE DIVISION TWO

ANOTHER WIN FOR SKIPTON KEEPS THEM ON TOP

SKIPTON 25 – 6 WEST PARK LEEDS

Although this performance was not Skipton’s best in terms of entertainment, they easily won the game to maintain their 100% record and stay top of the league table.

It was a scrappy game against a lower placed team and, following a dominant start, the Reds never clicked into top gear to maximise scoring potential. Having said that, if Skipton’s kickers had been in better form the scoreline would have passed 40, indicating that this was still a comprehensive win.

For the first twenty minutes, the Reds forwards were in total control of the game and soon the first score came from number eight Sam Boatwright who crashed over for a try. The conversion was missed but Skipton were 5-0 up.

From this same pressure came another try, courtesy of Sam Boatwright forcing his way through, on a day when he had a thoroughly good game. These days the Reds forwards often get on the scoresheet but a double score from Boatwright in a ten minute period was quite an achievement. The conversion was again missed.

For the remainder of the half it all became rather dull. Alex Naylor had now taken over kicking duties and had added a successful penalty kick to the tally but it was surprising that the Reds were only 13 – 0 up at half-time.

Early in the second half, West Park managed to pull back six points when they had two successful penalty kicks but with Skipton’s defence rock solid as ever they were given no try scoring opportunities.

Meanwhile, despite the Reds forwards getting plenty of ball, which was readily fed out by Shaun Barraclough, Skipton’s own try scorers seemed more muted than normal albeit James Burke and George Smithson in the backs did have an increasing number of threatening runs and more scoring became a certainty.

Fresh legs were brought on with Phil Crossman in the forwards and Adam Oldfield in the half backs. This gave the Reds new impetus.

Soon, speedy winger Jon Dillon was dispatched down the line and after successfully evading several West Park defenders scored another try for Skipton. However, despite the Reds now being on kicker number three, this try also went unconverted.

For the remainder of the game all the action belonged to Skipton and, after a strong midfield burst by Adam Oldfield, Alex Naylor zipped forward to finish it off with another try. This time the conversion was successfully punted over by James Burke.

A final score line of 25-6 was not only enough to keep the Reds on top of the table but, being the biggest scoreline of the day in the league, Skipton are now stretching the points difference as well. Congratulations to this squad who have already scored more than 200 points after only seven league games at this early stage of the season.