IN a closer game than the scoreline suggests, West Park took the honours at two tries to one against Skipton on Saturday, but their tally of four penalty goals put them out of reach by the third quarter.
Early exchanges saw some long range probing kicks down field by West Park, but with Skipton dominating the early line-outs. West Park gained a scrum close in and opted for the scrum again from the resulting penalty, from which they wee over for the opening score of the game. The conversion attempt was wide but the visitors got another chance at goal from a penalty 35 metres out, which they converted to take an 8-nil lead.
A further penalty for West Park soon followed, for Skipton going over the top, and the kick was slotted to put them 11 nil up.
A deliberate knock-on by West Park in the next phase of play gave Skipton a kick into the corner. A second penalty to Skipton resulted close in and a quick tap saw back-row Jordan Wilson in for the home side's only try of the day. Centre Hamish Munro added the extras.
A third penalty to West Park from the re-start added to Skipton's woes, as they went 14-7 behind at the break.
Determined play by Skipton from the re-start saw a penalty awarded to each side in quick succession. Skipton's went wide, West Park's was good.
The home side would not give up and exerted great pressure on the visitors line, but a handling error ended one move and a ball lost in possession as Skipton drove forward gave West Park a second break away try against the run of play. The conversion was good.
A late yellow card for West Park and two late penalties for Skipton were to no avail and the visitors registered a comfortable win.
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