Skipton 2nds 24 v Wensleydale 2nds 12

On a winter’s afternoon more suited to the propensity of penguins and polar bears rather than precise passing by players, Skipton travelled to Wensleydale.

After the toss the reds were given the arctic wind at their backs, though whether this was an advantage, what with icicles forming on the noses of the ever-present travelling Skipton supporters remained to be seen.

The early encounters were very much even with Skip running the ball up and Luke Barnaby and Daryl Swales demanding the ball and dominating the collisions. But it was the ensuing rucks where Skipton’s attack tended to break down with Skipton, being more used to the opposition being forced to roll away, falling fowl of multiple turnovers. The effervescent Andy Maclean on many occasions found himself unable to release the ball from rucks due to the opposition’s continual unspotted infringements. The Siberian like conditions played a part in handling errors on both sides and from the ensuing scrums the Skipton pack were put under pressure by a more dominant Wensleydale side. This dominance lasted only so long when practiced props, Rob Morgan and John Grayston found their footing to put Skipton back on parity. Zach Bullock and Harry Maltby sniped continuously but it was Sam, the bulldozer, Hunter who, after some slick handling by Callum Kay, broke three tackles and managed to place the ball over the line with one Wensleydale defender still attached giving Skipton a 5-0 lead. Almost from the re-start Skipton gained a well earned ascendancy with Jonathan Gane, once again playing out of his skin, forcing a turnover to release the backs which allowed Callum Patrick to pick a beautiful line, scoring under the posts. This was duly converted by Skipper Callum Kay. Be it jubilance or hyperthermia, Skipton allowed Wensleydale back into the game which they didn’t squander going over for a converted try. This left the half time score at 7-12.

The second half started with the wind chill factor now being a balmy minus one though Skipton still felt they were in the deep freezer because it was Wensleydale who crashed over for a 5 point score. This proved to be a wake up call for Skipton and having defrosted themselves, started to play the Rugby they have become accustomed to. Skipton’s iron like defence became impenetrable with Matt Hewitt, Cam Braithwaite and Morgan Bibby all putting in crunching tackles. Keiran Jackson proved himself on several occasions to be safe under the high ‘snowball’, running it back thus giving Skipton a forward momentum. Having pressurised Wensleydale for several minutes with Rob Morgan and John Grayson counter rucking, it was Keiran Jackson who saw an opening, calling for the ball and saying the try was going to be his and not disappointing. With Maclean and Kay putting him through for another 5 points. Daryl Swales continued to make his presence felt, running the ball in hard and with Jonathan Gane and Zach Bullock clearing out, Skipton were able to start the campaign for the try line again. With Brian Brocksom coming out of cold storage and using his vast experience at scrum half, Andy Bullock was the next recipient of a try rampaging his way from the half way line, breaking two tackles and charging over and touching down under the posts. Duly converted by Callum Kay. The final few minutes played in a wintery dusk showed Skipton’s defence remaining unbreached.

Though there were many outstanding contenders for most valuable player it was awarded to Callum Patrick for his continual battering of the Wensleydale line and his stalwart defence.