Bradford & District | Archive | 2002 | September | 27
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 27th Sep 2002.
SKIPTON face their biggest challenge of the season at Sandylands tomorrow when they entertain local rivals Keighley in a Yorkshire Division Two match.
There are no cup ties to compete for the title of the season's most important match, although later league games may become more important than derby rivalries when the pressing need for points arises as promotion and relegation issues reach a climax.
Skipton's desire to beat the men from Utley is intensified by events last season, when Keighley gained a double in circumstances that the Reds may not care to recall. At Keighley, Skipton were swept aside and out of the reckoning in an opening onslaught which rendered a second-half fightback no more than consolation, but worse was to follow in Round Two of the contest.
At Sandylands, Skipton appeared to have the victory sewn up with time running out, but this time Keighley managed to dominate the closing stages to such an extent that Skipton never managed a touch of the ball and the visitors snatched a most improbable win.
Memories of that nightmare, arguably the low point of the season with the possible exception of the cup defeat by Heath, are sure to inspire Skipton tomorrow.
They go into the game on the back of a home defeat by Hull in the Powergen Intermediate Cup, although against a side comprising a handful of paid players, there were plenty of plusses for Adam Oldfield and his men."
Skipton go into the game with a handful of changes. Behind the scrum, fly-half Darren Howson is on holiday, so Adam Oldfield switches from scrum-half and Dave Swinglehurst comes in at No 9. Matthew Wilson resumes at full-back after being unable to play last weekend because of illness.
Only change in the pack is at hooker, where Neil King takes over from brother Robbie, who has a back strain.
North Ribblesdale are hopeful that their cup win over St Edwards OB last weekend will be the catalyst they need to get their league season on the road. The presence of new Kiwi hooker Mike Robinson is sure to be one bonus the side will welcome as they visit last season's promoted Dinnington.
Skipton: M Wilson; M Beech, H Burns, I Sneddon, P Lacy; A Oldfield, D Swinglehurst; P Jenkinson, N King, P Crossman, G Newhouse, A Winthrop, M Davison, I Scrivin, J Morgan.
Replacements: A Hill, G Hindle, G Reid-Hughes.
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