Yorkshire Division Three: Baildon 23 Skipton 13

BAILDON notched their first win of the new year - a hard-earned Yorkshire Division Three derby victory over Skipton at Jenny Lane.

The hosts conceding a penalty soon after the kick-off for a high tackle that earned Matt Withers a talking to which perhaps could have resulted in a yellow card.

With the visitors also conceding penalties, Baildon took their chance. Chris Peel exploded from the back of a line-out and linked with Zack Orrell.

Adam Hewitt and Harrison Strauss then committed Skipton's defence before throwing the ball wide for Luke Hope Robertson and Luke Strauss to give Dan Fletcher the space to score unopposed in the corner.

Then Baildon earned a scrum on the opposition 22 and launched an open-side attack, Ollie Williams switching play to the right wing after two phases for hooker Matt Dixon to bounce off a defender and score.

A needless offfside gave Skipton an easy shot at goal for 10-3 but only a desperate try-saving tackle then stopped them from scoring after an interception.  

But they weren't to be denied as their centre skilfully skipped his way over for a try, cutting Baildon's interval lead to 10-8.

The introduction of Nick Lister at fly half at half-time gave Baildon a lot of what they have been missing all season in terms of deft touches and calm decision-making, and Williams landed a penalty after Adam France had been tackled high just short of the line.

Harrison Strauss then broke through tired Skipton tackles, and nimble hands from Lister released Hope-Robertson to put in Luke Strauss for the try, converted by Williams to make it 20-8. 

However, Skipton had a great ten minutes pressing the Baildon line and were convinced that they had scored a try, only for the unsighted referee to rule held up.

After a Baildon shot at goal had bounced back off an upright and was scuffed clear, a Skipton player picked the ball up in an offside position, giving Williams an easier penalty chance to make it 23-8, which he took.

Despite having a healthy lead, Baildon got the yips and conceded successive penalties, Skipton getting their second try, but in the end it was Baildon who were chasing a fourth try and a bonus point.