Colne miss out on Battle of the Roses

On a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon, Colne welcomed neighbours Skipton up to Holt House for the reverse friendly fixture.

The previous fixture between the 2 sides at the start of the New Year was won by the Yorkshiremen but positives, especially in the first half, was taken from the game.

A few enforced changes for the All Blacks were made, with Dean Edwards coming in for the injured Tom Handforth (surrounding woodlands and bushes had been checked for hiding snipers). In came Howard Howarth in the second row for Malc. A re-shuffle outside the Number 10 shirt meant Skipper Matt Tindall move forward into outside centre to partner Ryan Sumner and Jamie Gane dropping to full back.

From the kick off Skipton were very organised and used their strong running centre to great effect. Offloads and depth kept the visitors on the front foot for much of the opening 20 minutes. Pressure finally told as their number 15 (who ran some fantastic lines all day) was able to latch onto a pass, through a gap and score under the posts. Conversion good.

Plenty of running rugby was being played by the 2 sides, with both teams reluctant to kick the ball away. Luke Edwards and Lance Jones made plenty of breaks from inside Colnes 22 and with good support play from Connor Kinnane and Dem Cantrill, Colne started to get a foot hold.

With Colne holding there own against a strong skipton team, Gary Kenyon was able to dart through a gap and score. Skipton replied with 2 scores of there own in the next 10 minutes. Just before the half, a few picks and drives at the Skipton line allowed Connor Kinnane to open up a gap for Dem Cantrill to bring the 1st half to a close with a well worked try!

The changes were made at half time, injured Dean Edwards was replaced by Tom Steer who went to centre, with Tindall moving to fill the No 10 shirt. Liam husband came in at prop with Ant Minshull replacing Dem.

The second half resembled much of the first. Both teams held thier own in defence, and again, the ball was being passed through the hands with very few kicks being made. The new centre partnership of steer and summer worked well, and with Hargreaves and tindall dictating play Colne were able to run through some moves and look dangerous in possession. Mid way through the half, Skipton recorded another score, with thier 15 popping up again in space, drawing the defender and release the winger to score.

Colne upped thier game, Howard Haworth and Boatright were quick to breakdowns giving the backs clean ball. Aaron Denton replaced the injured Tindall at 10 and with quick ball, a mistake from the Skipton winger allowed Colne to pin Skipton in their 22. The resulting line out was gathered by Kinnane and the rolling maul resulted in Kinnane grounding the ball for Colnes third try. In the dying minutes of the half, Denton took a quick tap on the Skipton 22 and fed Kenyon. One on one with the defender, Kenyon crossed the whitewash for his second of the match.

Final score Colne 24 - Skipton34

Although it was a loss, The tackling and mentality of the Colne side never dropped. On another day the score board may have looked different.

Thankyou to Skipton for your time in the clubhouse afterwards and good look with the season.

Next up for Colne is Old Bedians away.

Anyone wishing to play, training is Monday's and thursdays, Holt House 7pm. Or ring Ian on 07590 818341.