SUNDAY 17 September saw the Skipton Roses start the 2023/24 season.

A significant day in the club’s history as the Roses fielded two teams in the RFU league pyramid. The Roses A’s playing in National Challenge 2 North against Yarnbury and the B’s playing in National Challenge 3 North against York RUFC.

The Roses A’s played some great rugby in the first half and a brace of tries from winger Amelia Mackenzie put the score at 10-0 at half time.

The second half saw Yarnbury take control with their forwards carrying strong and using the ball through the hands of the backs and they quickly got on the scoresheet. The Roses responded well and added a third try through centre Laura Ackroyd. The conversion was added and the Roses led 17-5.

From the restart Yarnbury dominated the next 20 minutes and got on the scoreboard with two tries and a conversion to bring the score level at 17-17.

As the game went into the last 10 minutes the Roses pressured the Yarnbury tryline and with quick ball winger Nicola Marklew was able to get over out wide. The conversion was missed, and the Roses had a five point lead.

Yarnbury put great pressure on the Roses 22 metre area, however the Roses showed great resolute defence to keep Yarnbury at bay before the referee blow for full time. Player of the Match Lottie Knowles.

The Roses B’s travelled to York RUFC, who like the Roses B’s are a development team with both teams fielding debutants. The game was thoroughly entraining with nearly 50 points scored.

The Roses scored three tries to Yorks five tries. The Roses tries scorers were Chelsey Holder, Claire Ball and debutant Chloe McGrath. This was a great game for the Roses first run out in National Challenge 3 and every player put in a good performance and played with structure and control under the leadership of Vicki Parker and Kirsty Weir.