SKIPTON Knights started their Yorkshire Merit League campaign with a comprehensive victory at home to Almondbury Spartans ‘A’. The knights ran out 66-0 winners in a very one sided match.

The knights set the tone for the afternoon by scoring in the opening minutes with Josh Nkwo exploiting some gaping holes in the opposing defence and crossing the line for the opening try.

This was followed by a brace of tries by Xander McConville who impressed all afternoon both in attack and defence. Dean Barritt followed up his man of the match performance against Todmorden with a try before half time. Just before the half time whistle a McConville clan combo set up another try. Caleb McConville broke down the right wing taking it right up to the line before the ball was tipped out to Xander McConville who set up Keenan McConville. This left the score at 26-0 at half time.

The second half was an equally one sided affair with Caleb McConville crossing the line. This was quickly followed by a second for the afternoon for Keenan McConville with Josh Nkwo dictating the play in the build up. A breakaway from his own half by Scott Wainwright gaining over 50 yards in the process set the platform for player/coach Daz Greenwood to score out on the wing. New signing Joe Stapleton crossed the line on his debut to further extend the lead before Caleb McConville benefitted from an impressive 80 yard break by Josh Prell who tipped McConville on the outside who then scored yet another try putting the Knights completely out of sight of the Spartans. Stapleton added another try shortly after to top off a good debut for the Knights.

Luke Darling got in on the try scoring act by bulldozing through what had become a very tired defensive line.

To top off an impressive afternoon for the McConville family Keenan McConville touched down for his hat trick late on. Josh Prell added a further try as just reward for what was an impressive performance from him in which he also ensured that the Knights kept a clean sheet late on by snuffing out a late Almondbury break away.

Whilst the Knights were lauded last time out for their defensive effort, a significant reduction in the penalty count meant that they benefitted from more time with the ball in hand. This ensured they were then able to show just how impressive in attack they can be.

This result puts the Knights in a commanding position in the Merit League with a long way to go. This will show as a clear signal of intent to the rest of the league as a number of players were actually missing this week including usual team captain Charlie Brown, allowing Gary Lancaster to lead the team to the win.

This performance and result is even more impressive considering the team is still gelling and introducing new players to the sport. The indicators are all in place for this to be a good season for the Knights, proving momentum continuing.