SUNDAY saw Skipton Roses travel to Ryton RFC in the North East in the fourth round of the RFU National Junior Cup.  

A win for either team would take them into the quarter finals and one step closer to the final which will be played at Twickenham or another prestigious ground. 

The Roses chose to receive the kick off and showed their intent to play at pace using both forwards and backs and within three minutes fullback Courteney Cowgill was able to break a couple of tackles and run in the opening try under the posts. Laura Ackroyd added the conversion.  

The Roses continued from the restart and within 20 minutes were 26 points up from a second try from Cowgill and a brace from Jessie Matthews.  Ackroyd converting two of the tries.  From the restart Ryton started to dominate play, their forwards carried strong getting them on the front foot and the backs took the ball at pace and found gaps and only a resolute defence stopped Ryton scoring.  As much as the Roses tried to get out of their own 22, Ryton put pressure on them causing errors and as the half time approached were rewarded for their efforts with a try. 

Unfortunately, they couldn’t add the conversion.  26-5.  Just before the half time whistle the Roses were awarded a penalty seven metres from the Ryton tryline.  They kicked to touch and from the resultant lineout no8 Sarah Pate was able to crash over for a half time score of 31-5.

Ryton began the second half on the front foot and were relentless in their attack, reducing the deficit to 31-17 following two quick tries.

As the game entered the last quarter, Pate kicked the ball down field into the Ryton 22.  Winger Nicola Marklew gave chase, but the referee penalised her for off feet.  From the result penalty the Roses took the lineout and centre Saima Hussain was put into a gap and scored under the posts.  The conversion was added and the Roses now had a 21-point lead.  Ryton continued to press for more points, but the Roses worked hard to cut down space and make their tackles.  Vice captain Lottie Knowles took to the field for the first time since a bad knee injury back in September and debutant Isobel Wild went onto the winger.  

From the Roses 22, Knowles put wild into space who made it to halfway before been taken into touch.  With the last play of the game Ryton put it through hands to their centre who showed her pace to run in from the halfway line.  The conversion was missed bringing the scores to 38-22 and the referee blew for full time.