IT was a tough old shift for Skipton against league leaders Old Otliensians, but a game of two halves saw a second-half recovery by the home side to put points on the board.

A strong and pacey Otliensians back three outran the Skipton defence and a slick move saw them over for the opening try of the day after five minutes. The speedy left winger was over again in the corner a few minutes later, with the conversion attempt drifting wide.

Otliensians were very well drilled but did concede a series of penalties to Skipton in the next period of play, with stand-off Jamie Barker slotting the last one in front of the posts to put three points on the board for Skipton. They were to be the only points of the half for Skipton, as the visitors speedy back three ran in four more tries whenever in possession, to give them a half-time lead of 38-3.

Skipton steadied the ship after half-time and made some good forward drives downfield. They gained a scrum on Otliensians' 22and were over after many phases of play but adjudged held up. Otliensians then received the first yellow card of the afternoon for repeated offences at the breakdown. Two further yellow cards soon followed for an infringement by Skipton and retaliation, but the home side continued to pressure Otliensians' line.

A loose pass close-in gave Otliensians an interception and a seventh try against the run of play, as their full-back ran the full length of the pitch.

Skipton countered with some ferocious tackling, with back-row Jordan Wilson to the fore. A further penalty to Skipton saw a quick tap and run, putting scrum-half Jake Emmison in under the posts. Barker added the extras.

Bill Bevan and Silas Holden joined the Skipton pack for the last 10 minutes. The Otliensians' No. 8 picked up his side's third yellow card and the penalty put Skipton into the corner. A rolling maul from the line-out saw hooker Charlie Brown over for Skipton's second try. Barker added the extra points to give a final score of 45-17 in Otliensians' favour.