Skipton are far from happy about the decision of the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union to include them in a list of 28 clubs who have been thrown out of next season's Yorkshire knockout competitions for failing to complete fixtures last season.

Yorkshire county secretary Mark Roberts said: "It will make the competitions much better if they are made up of clubs who want to play fixtures. The teams which pulled out obviously didn't".

Skipton, however, reject the claim made by Roberts and offer a very reasonable explanation as to why they did not travel to Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire last season to fulfill their Yorkshire Shield commitments.

"That date appeared in our club fixture list as a blank date and on the strength of that, Robbie and Neil King committed themselves to a family function." says club spokesman Chris Windle.

"Their absence co-incided with other front-row players being either injured or unavailable, so that we did not have five specialist front-row men to take to Stocksbridge.

"Cup and Shield regulations require all clubs to have front-row cover, the penalty for not doing so being that the game is awarded to the opposition.

"Obviously we were beaten before we even set out and there was no point going to the expense in the circumstances.

"To infer that we did not want to play in the competition or were in some way worried about what might happen against a side from a lower division is wholly inaccurate.

"Looking at the way the Shield unfolded, there was a good chance for us to make headway and even pull out a couple of tasty ties.

"Obviously the decision is one we are very disappointed with as a blanket ban does take into account individual circumstances and a genuine case like ourselves."

The matter is made all the more galling for the Sandylands men because they have not yet received a letter from the YRFU advising them of the decision.

North Ribblesdale will play at Beverley in the first round of next season's Shield, with the winners entertaining Halifax Vandals.

In the Yorkshire Cup, Wharfedale have been drawn away to Cleckheaton.

Rugby fans in Craven should pencil in November 1 in their diaries.

That's the date of the first ever North Ribblesdale v Skipton league derby at Grove Park.

At first glance the Yorkshire Two league contest looks to be an open affair, but Ribb are optimistic of "doing a Keighley" by bouncing straight back into Division One after a relegation.

But they will have to shake off the autumn lethargy which has blighted recent seasons and played a significant part in their relegation in April.

Ribb start their campaign with a home match against Sheffield Tigers, while Skipton have another derby to start the season - away to Ilkley. This is one Skipton love to win as it was not too long ago that Ilkley ended their traditional Christmas fixture because Skipton were deemed not good enough opposition. Times have changed since then, but supporters have long memories.

Simon Spensley has been appointed the North Ribb skipper for the season.