Rugby Union

(Half-time 0-8)

Much-improved North Ribblesdale

Ripon 8 North Ribblesdale 8

This was a much-improved performance by Ribb from the previous week despite the fact that again they had several first-choice players injured or unavailable and arrived with only 14 men due - not for the first time this season - to a communication mix-up, writes Robin Towler.

As a result the writer of this report was promoted from the touch-judging berth to play on the right wing, with Ryan Kirkbride moving to his preferred position of wing forward.

In the early stages Ribb's forwards just about got the measure of the Ripon eight and with scrum-half Neil Gemmell and fly-half Stuart Towns taking all the right options things looked quite ominous for Ripon and early pressure was rewarded when the Ripon back row got offside and John Hughes kicked a good penalty.

Ribb continued to batter the Ripon line but sound defensive work by the home side kept them out and frustrated.

However when Ripon's pack killed the ball Gemmell took a quick tap penalty and swift passing by the Ribb threequarters saw Hughes score wide out.

Ribb should then have gone on to take full control but for some unknown reason they let the opposition back into the game although they deservedly led 8-0 at the break.

The second half started with the Dalesmen again in command with both backs and forwards linking well to cause Ripon lots of problems. However the visitors were unable to cross the home line again - Ribb's first-phase possession is more than adequate but they have problems in ball retention which denies them vital second and third-phase possession and if this area could be improved then more scores would definitely come.

So Ribb let Ripon off the hook and after good work by the improving home pack Ribb killed the ball and Ripon were awarded the penalty which was converted by the fly-half.

With about 20 minutes go before the end the game was finely balanced with both sides using both backs and forwards to try and breach the defences. However it was the big Ripon No 8 who finally broke through the dogged Ribb defence to score halfway out to make it all square and with 70 minutes gone it was nail-biting time. But as had happened all afternoon the defences were on top and the game finished with probably the right result.

So Ribb could be fairly pleased with this performance against a Ripon side who are not the force they used to be but who still play with plenty of fire and commitment. And Ribb's confidence should now be restored for their very important league game away to Westoe this Saturday.

Victory at Westoe would go a long way to calming nerves in the Ribb camp for the two points would lift them back above Hartlepool Rovers and four points clear of Roundhegians and Ashington with Westoe cast adrift at the bottom of North East Division Two certain to be relegated.

But Ribb must beware for Westoe's recent form has shown a marked improvement and their last three league defeats have been by narrow margins against respected opponents. Indeed Westoe confirmed their current mood with an impressive friendly victory over North East Division One's Durham City last weekend.

Unfortunately injury and unavailability problems still haunt the Dalesmen and confirmation that Gareth Evans and Sean Kennedy will play at Westoe is still awaited.

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