Skipton nil Mods

Skipton kick-start the season with first win in new strip

Skipton put in a solid performance at Modernians, making the best of adverse weather conditions in the first half and putting in a tireless defence up the slope in the second, to come away with the spoils from their second league fixture of the season.

The driving rain prevented flowing rugby but Skipton had forward dominance and slowly built up a platform to attack, driving Mods down the slope. Eventually, a break by second row Andy Wooler put winger Josh Smith away for Skipton's first try in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide.

Skipton used the same tactics from the re-start, driving Mods down field, until No. 8 Mark Davidson broke from a scrum under the posts to secure try number two. Skipper Hamish Munro added the extra points and Skipton had established a 12 nil lead.

A high tackle from the re-start by Mods' No. 8 earned him a yellow card and Skipton drilled the ball down field from the penalty. Skipton winger Jamie Carroll came across field and put Josh Smith clear, only for him to be brought down just yards short, denying Skipton a third try. Mods made a rare foray up field to close the first half.

Modernians know their ground well and used the slope to good advantage from the re-start. They gained a penalty for a high tackle and from the line-out Skipton prop Chris Wright received a yellow card for another high tackle. A penalty to Skipton relieved the pressure and an inside pass from stand-off Ra Neha put Munro clear. A kick and chase ensued but Skipton were again denied a try. They gained a scrum under the posts and after many phases of play were awarded a penalty for Mods killing the ball. Neha slotted the conversion and Skipton were 15 nil ahead.

Wooler made an excellent individual re-start return, taking Skipton to Mods 22, but back chat to the referee by the visitors gave away a penalty. Skipton were back down field again but stole the ball at the line-out , putting Davison through.

Skipton conceded several penalties in their defensive efforts in the last 10 minutes. Each time Mods put the ball into the corner and each time Skipton kept them out, Davison stealing line-out ball again. Carroll had a final late run from a Skipton line-out but was brought down just short on the stroke of full-time.