Wensleydale travelled to Skipton in the Silver trophy on a wet afternoon in the Dales and slipped up against the Yorkshire 4 leaders.
With the advantage of the elements Dale were expected to pin the hosts back.
Domination at the scrum gave number 8 Carl Burnett the chance to plough through the home defence on several occasions and it was no surprise when he touched down, Jack Reynard converting.
Several chances were created with James Ashford and Wes Paterson linking well down the right.
A series of drives from the pack gave hooker Mark Dixon the chance to put left wing Jack Shepherd away only for Skipton to come away with the ball and the chance was lost.
Having kept the hosts out on several occasions Dale decided to run out of defence when putting boot to ball should have been the option.
The ball was turned over and a few phases later Skipton had points on the board through a converted try. Reynards penalty on the stroke of half time made the score 10 – 7.
Facing the breeze in the second half the pressure was on and it wasn’t long before a converted try put Skipton ahead.
The pack then dug deep with Burnett gaining good ground.
Unfortunately the backup runners went missing at crucial times giving the home fullback time to clear his lines.
From a quick ruck replacement winger Nathan Bishoprick scored to put Dale back in front.
The final quarter turned rather scrappy with neither team taking control. A Skipton penalty gave them a deserved 17 – 15 win.
