A breath-taking defensive display saw Skipton gain another home win at Sandylands on Saturday.

After an arm wrestle between two strong sides, Skipton gained a scrum, line-out and rolling maul to put hooker Alex Burnett over for the opening score. The sure foot of stand-off Jamie Barker added the extras and Skipton were off the mark.

A penalty for Thirsk not rolling away gave Barker another chance at goal, which he slotted to stretch the home side’s lead.

A rare error saw Skipton kick possession away and Thirsk ran in a try in reply. Barker put in an adjudged late tackle and got a yellow card for his trouble.

Ferocious play from the re-start gave Skipton a penalty which full-back Michael Tam put over.

A great break and chip through by lightning winger Andy Maclean saw the home side awarded a penalty for a tip tackle. Barker converted and Skipton were 16-7 in the lead.

Hooker Alex Burnett sustained an injury, being replaced in the pack by Alex Cruise-Brown, and an upfront battle ensued with the big Thirsk forwards. Stone wall defence from Skipton kept them out and the half-time whistle blew with no further score.

An uneven period of play in the second-half gave Skipton a penalty into the corner.

A rolling maul and a superb break by Skipper Anthony Chapman saw back-row Charlie Brown ship the ball out to winger Silas Holden and Skipton had their second try. The conversion attempt fell short.

Prop Steve Carroll replaced Andy Wooler but Skipton going in from the side gave the visitors a kick at goal, which they converted to bring the score to 21-10.

Solid defence from Skipton, with Skipper Chapman going in like an Exocet, ensured nothing got through and the home side ran out winners at 21-10.