FOR the first half of this, the final league game of the season, Skipton played probably their worst 40 minutes of rugby of the whole campaign.

That they came back from conceding 40 points in the first half to win the second half 12-7, whilst saying much for their courage, says as much about their lack of application in the first period.

As early as the sixth minute from a quickly taken penalty Smith romped over for the opening try.

After 12 minutes the ball was moved wide and a missed tackle saw the same player score again, this time Cadman converting to open up a 12-0 lead.

Skipton fought back and had three quick penalty awards in quick succession, but the final one saw a kick at goal from Adam Oldfield drift narrowly wide.

But four tries in the final 10 minutes, from Nesbit, Hewitt (2), and MacKenzie, all of which were converted, left Skipton 40-0 down at half time.

It seemed at this stage that Skipton would be on the wrong end of a cricket score, but thankfully a change of tactics in the second half saw the ball played much tighter to the forwards, which changed the pattern of the game.

On 42 minutes, Skipton applied good pressure and were unfortunate not to score a try when the ball was knocked on. Skipton finally broke their duck after 48 minutes when Mark Davison burst free and fed winger Matthew Wilson, who scored an unconverted try.

Hamish Burns was rather unfortunate not to score a try when the referee ruled that he failed to ground the ball correctly before Davison himself collected Skipton's second try which was converted by Mike Richards.

Adam Oldfield by this time was struggling with an injury and eventually departed to be replaced by coach Gerald Corrigan.

Ilkley's only meaningful attack of the second half eventually saw Smith collect his hat trick of tries, and Cadman rounded off the scoring with the conversion.

For Skipton Neil King and Ian Sneddon had their usual solid games and it was pleasing to see Chris Howarth play in the back row. Having recovered from a knee injury which threatened to end his career, he had a number of barn storming runs and will hopefully be fit to play next season.

But it was a disappointing result to finish what has been a disappointing season. Having finished third in the league last year, everyone at the club would have hoped to press for promotion this term.

A reasonable first half of the season has been followed by a torpid second, and there is much to work at before the new season opens in September.