Game of two halves against old rivals

Twos show their might in impressive comeback

Wharfedale 4th XV 26 - 42 Skipton 2nd XV

Definitely a game of two halves! Skipton travelled the short 15 minute drive to Threshfield to take on Wharfedale in a merit league encounter and what a game it was. The wind played its part and Wharfedale used it to to full advantage from the start, pinning Skipton deep in their own half for the first 20 mins. The home side scored 3 tries, 2 of which were converted, from caught and driven line outs making the score 19 - 0. Skipton were showing to much respect to their local counterparts and lacked some intensity and could have been blown away but they kept going and their only sustained period of rugby in the first half, came after 27 minutes when quick ruck ball and and ‘up the jumper’ rugby gave No 8, Andy Whitley (The Albion, Skipton) a break and he scored a well worked try to the right of the home side sticks. Full back, Johnny Kulik (SIPS@Clays LLP) slotted the conversion to make the score 19 - 7. The last 10 minutes of the first half saw Wharfedale use the wind once more and score another converted try before half time. 26 - 7 to the home team at half time. A stirring half time team talk by captain Lee Shaw (Witch Electrical) re-focused the brotherhood and a different Skipton side took the field in the second half. Ex Wharfedale player, Tom Allsopp (Castlefield Cosmetics) came on to strengthen the Skipton front row with Darren Greenwood taking a breather and Adam Moorehouse came on for his Skipton debut to add some guile to the second row for Simon Lacey (Sutton Playgroup). The next 30 mins of rugby by Skipton showed exactly what the brotherhood are capable of doing. Forwards and backs producing some fantastic interplay, spirit and heart! Tries came from Ben Brearley, Andy McLean (Thisledo Holiday Cottage), Alex Baldwin. A special mention to Aidan Proctor who was playing his 2nd senior game in the crossed for a try and Matt Beattie who came across from Sheffield to don the Raspberry shirt crossed after a fine solo run. Kulik converted all 6 tries Skipton scored. Man of the match Carl Nicholson (Top Dental) played another great game, gaining metres on the attack and was a brick wall in defence. Harry Maltby (Gerigraph Construction Solutions) was a constant thorn in the home side disrupting any breakdown where he could. Debutant Andrew Baron had a solid game at prop. The ever present Dave Mitton, Tony Spensley and Ash Greaves were keen runners with the ball. Skipton came away with a well deserved 42 - 26 win, scoring 5 unanswered tries in the 2nd half.

The brotherhood return to Sandylands next week for another merit league game against Old Otliensians. If Skipton can play in the same manner of the last 40 minutes today, we should be in for a treat.