North Ribb pass Medicals test (From Craven Herald)

North Ribb pass Medicals test and make progress in the Yorkshire Shield

10:51am Thursday 15th November 2012 in Sport

North Ribblesdale 28 Sheffield Medicals 5

Good big ’uns beat good little ’uns, and like loyal supporter Bill Lynch a bumper crowd enthusiastically celebrated Ribb’s 60th birthday with a comfortable victory against lower league opposition in the Yorkshire Shield.

Ribb’s much bigger pack completely dominated for the first hour, and inevitably the first try by Ryan Kirkbride came from a push over scrum. Jonathan Richards added the conversion.

The second was a real beauty. A clean break from Richards out of his own 22, created the opening for Nathan Dakin to race clear from halfway line to score under the posts. Richards’ conversion made it 14-0 at half-time.

Ribb should have been much further ahead. Four kickable penalties and two gilt-edged try-scoring chances were squandered by sloppy final passes.

Ribb’s incessant pressure was rewarded when Kirkbride scored from close range after continuous pressure.

A deft chip from Ribb’s leading play maker Steve Moon saw Rob Hayes score in the corner, both tries being converted by Richards.

Moon left the field injured after Ribb had used all their subs so Sheffield had a man advantage for the final quarter.

They showed excellent handling, off loading and backing-up skills without looking particularly threatening, apart from when they scored an unconverted consolation try near the end.

This was thoroughly well deserved because they had after tackled their hearts out throughout the match.