Skipton kept hopes of a league and cup double in their 125th season alive with one of the giant-killing acts of the round, a 20-12 victory over Heath in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.

On a perfect afternoon for rugby the two sides produced a match which fully entertained the bumper holiday crowd and as the game wore on it was the visiting contigent from Craven who were making themselves heard as their side produced a second half performance which saw them control the game.

Coaches Andy Guest and Gerald Corrigan were forced into several late changes due to injury and festive commitments.

Evergreen scrum-half Dave Swinglehurst returned and the experienced Corrigan moved into the fullback berth for his first start of the season. Young prop Pete Jenkinson returned to the fold and speedy young winger Paul Arkwright came into the squad for the first time this season.

The game opened with the Reds going on the offensive and after a clean take by Andy Phillip Bob Birks was unlucky not to get an early score. Heath, who play their rugby a division above Skipton, took control of possession for long periods of the first half.

However excellent defence by the whole Skipton team ensured that this territorial advantage did not lead to any points being conceded.

Indeed it was somewhat ironic that Heath should open the scoring from one of Skipton's rare first half forays into the Heath half.

A drop goal attempt by Andy Porter was charged down and good fortune for the home side saw it fall to their left winger who showed a clean pair of heels to the Red defence.

This spurred Skipton into action and within moments Declan Hayes produced the first of a series of excellent heels and this fast scrum ball allowed the backs to completely mesmerise the home defence. The ball went through Swinglehurst, Adam Oldfield, George Smithson and Corrigan before Mike Beech finished off the move in emphatic style.

Porter added the conversion to give the visitors a slender half-time lead.

Within moments of the second half starting the crowd were treated to another well-worked Skipton try. Fine work by Porter saw him release Beech who bagged a second stylish touchdown.

The Red pack began to get the upper hand with the back row of Ben Antonio, Robbie King and Mark Davison punching holes and mobile prop Neil King prominent in the loose.

The lineout which had not functioned in the first half began to produce good possession with Davison ably assisted by Adam Winthrop and Antonio getting his hands to the ball.

Indeed good lineout ball led to pacey back Smithson going close to stretching the Reds' lead as he was held up just short of the line. He sustained an injury during the tackle and coach Guest took the precaution of replacing him with debutant Arkwright.

With 20 minutes left as Skipton reorganised their back line Heath took advantage. The home outside centre burst through the cover for a converted try which levelled the scores and set up a grand finale.

The Reds once again took control and dominated the final quarter with scores coming via young captain Oldfield who kicked a drop goal and got a fine try after strong running by Davison and several other good scoring opportunities were declined.

This performance above all else shows how much the side learned from the Tetley Vase defeat by Dinnington.

During that game they learned how to absorb pressure without conceding points and put this to good use in this performance.

They now look forward to a home game in the second round which will be against Durham/Northumberland Division Three side Wensleydale on January 22.

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