SKIPTON Roses got their National Cup campaign off to a great start with a convincing win against York RI, however the scoreline didn’t reflect how well York played.

The Roses received the kick-off and although play was in the York half of the pitch, the Roses made several errors and York defended well.

The first try came through Roses winger Nicola Marklew who intercepted a pass in the York 22 and ran in under the posts. Steph Roe added the conversion.

The Roses started to gel and were soon on the scoreboard again after a good turnover at the ruck, strong runner Georgie Riley busted her way through the defence to touchdown. The conversion was missed. 12-0.

At this point it was York’s turn to show what they could do and soon scored two quick tries, both of which were converted to give them the lead.

The Roses regrouped and as half-time approached, the Roses scored two well worked tries from Chloe McGrath and Babs Thomas. Both tries came through good forwards play and ball retention, before putting the ball through the hands into space.

Unfortunately for Skipton, the conversions were missed but the Roses now were back to leading 22-14 as the half-time whistle was blown.

The second half couldn’t have started any better for the Roses as centre Saff Ellis scored close to the posts. Roe added the conversion. 29-14.

The next ten minutes saw both teams battling it out in midfield through the forwards and then shipping the ball out through the backs and only resolute defence prevented either team scoring.

As the game moved into the last quarter, flanker Annabelle Aspin, saw a gap at the breakdown and ran in under the posts. Roe added her third conversion.

York came straight back at the Roses and scored two further tries to take the score to 36-26.

The last ten minutes saw the Roses play some of their best and most controlled rugby and they reaped the rewards with three further tries.

The first came through the forwards who showed great composure close to the York tryline with the pick and go and Charlotte Beech scored. Roe added the conversion.

Next was hooker Amy Linnegan who weaved her way through the narrowest of gaps to touchdown. The conversion was missed.

Captain Liv Schepisi replaced Steph Roe, who had put in a great shift at scrum half and with the boot. With the last play of the game winger McGrath scored her second try under the posts. Kerys Hey who had taken over the kicking duties, duly knocked over the conversion bringing the final score to 55-26.

This was a great entertaining game and credit goes to York RI who never gave up. The Roses showed great composure and decision making in attack and pressure in defence and will look to build on more consistency has they look to progress in the cup.