North Ribblesdale 23

Hull 29

THIS game bore a remarkable similarity to the previous week's close encounter at Grove Park.

Unfortunately for Ribb it had the same outcome, with the visitors having the last word to take the points with a score at the death.

The two games followed an almost identical pattern and on this occasion Hull took an early advantage, the Dalesmen fought back to lead at half time and the advantage swayed to and fro in a see-saw second period, before a final converted try sealed Ribb's fate.

The home side began carelessly and a couple of handling mistakes gave Hull an early platform, the result being a successful penalty. But after that setback, Ribb enjoyed at least 15 minutes of territorial dominance.

However, Davidson pushed two penalties wide and his side's passing and support was not sharp enough to provide additional scoring opportunities.

Hull in contrast supported the ball carrier in numbers and scored a fine try from long range, which was converted to bring a 10-0 scoreline.

This sparked Ribb into their best spell of the game and Evans was the instigator. He was a handful all afternoon and it was his powerful run down the left that gave Hughes the chance to finish well for an excellent try.

Soon after Gemmell's skill took him through the middle, breaking from a scrum. Perhaps a pass should have gone to the enthusiastic Carr, but it didn't and Gemmell took a clattering tackle.

Hull killed the subsequent ruck and Davidson kicked the penalty that followed to bring Ribb closer and shortly afterwards they took the lead when another good attack gave Carr the reward his support work deserved.

Davidson's conversion gave the Dalesmen a 15-10 and they preserved it to the break with some sturdy defence as Hull ended the half deep in home territory.

Into the second half and once again Ribb were slowly away failing to appreciate that their opponents could counter from deep.

Following a mark in the shadow of his posts, the Hull full back took a quick tap, instigating an attack that ended with a try at the other end of the field. But fortunes continued to change and Ribb bounced back to take the lead again with a well worked try from a scrum, Kirkbride and Gemmell put Evans away again and he tore through the corner to put Spensley over.

The conversion failed but Ribb now had the advantage 20-17.

The scoring though was far from over and Hull again demonstrated quick hands and pace to score a try wide on the right. This try was not converted but Ribb were still a couple of points in arrears. Soon after though home pressure brought a penalty and this was successful to put Ribb back in front 23-22.

But the final twist was yet to come and continuing the theme of similarities with the Selby game, the result was decided as a consequence of a Ribb scrum. On this occasion, the pack couldn't resist Hull's fierce drive, the ball was lost and the visitors took advantage to score through their back row. A superb conversion added to the misery.

So once again it's disappointment for Ribb. At different times this season they have displayed excellent talents in both attack and defence but performances have been hampered by a lack of awareness at critical times during matches.

Ribb have to realise that a side narrowly in arrears at half time are likely to restart full of fire and similarly opponents are certain to attack set phases in the closing stages of a close contest. That scenario was evident when Selby snatched victory and it was repeated this week when Hull benefited - lessons have not been learned.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.