Aireborough 2nds 29, Skipton 2nds 28

SKIPTON took to the field with a vastly-improved approach after the previous week's wake-up call, which saw them crushed by Old Brodleians, only to fall victim of some dubious second-half refereeing.

The visitors exerted much of the early pressure but it was Aireborough who broke through to score first, which seemed to spur Skipton on and give them the impetus to play their A game.

Almost from the restart, good recycling by forwards Troy Johnson, Zachary Bullock and Luke Barnaby saw quick ball to new centre Conner Carver, who broke through into open space to score under the posts. Skipper Callum Kay added the goal.

Gareth Atkinson became the next recipient of a try after a storming run, one of his many that afternoon, which was again converted by Kay.

Slick handling by Jonathan Kulik saw Skipton pressure again as he released Carl Nicholson, who was superbly supported by man of the match Jonathan Gane. Both got close to the try line but it was Lee Shaw who reaped the benefit as he evaded several tackles to score.

Cam Braithewaite came close to scoring after quick thinking by Kay, who placed a beautiful cross-field kick into open space, but it was Aireborough who scored next.

Skipton once again remained unbowed and hit back once more, with Malc Dutton making one of his many turnovers of the day and subsequently releasing Atkinson to score his second try after bullocking his way up the field. This left the interval score 28-12.

Andrew Maclean, having replaced Kulik, continued to give Skipton good quick ball, allowing the Reds to camp out in Aireborough's 22 for the first ten minutes of the second period.

Zach Webster, coming on for Rob Morgan, came close to scoring after he continued to drive through the tackle, taking three defenders with him.

It was at this point, however, that events took a different turn which surprised both teams.

Skipton, who up until this point had been in the ascendancy in nearly all aspects of play, now fell foul to the sound of the whistle.

This brought Aireborough back into the game and if not for stout tackling by Andy Bullock and Jonny Stoddard, they would have run rampant.

Skipton spent the remainder of the game pinned back in their 22, with only the occasional excursion into Aireborough's half.

Morgan Bibby managed to make a nuisance of himself, intimidating the opposition wherever possible but inevitably being penalised, and Matt Hewitt tried to make headway by returning the ball from full back.

Aireborough continued to pressure Skipton's line and were controversially awarded a penalty try. From the restart Skipton were once again trying to gain headway, only to be on the receiving end of the exuberant peeping from the whistle.

The final score, which allowed Aireborough to take the lead by a single point, came from a driving maul, the ball having been judged to have been grounded.