North Ribblesdale 13 Yarnbury 16

NORTH Ribblesdale remain rooted to the bottom of Yorkshire One after losing a match they should have won at Grove Park on Saturday.

The home side were the authors of their own downfall. The concession of too many penalties and back chat to the referee saw them marched back ten metres on three occasions and ultimately enabled Yarnbury to snatch victory.

The decisive final penalty was awarded outside kickable range but Ribb spoke out of turn and that presented Ollie Hardaker with an easier opportunity, which he gratefully accepted.

Ribb will also rue the golden try-scoring chance they squandered in the first five minutes when a player tried to go it alone when there was a clear overlap outside.

It all added up a frustrating afternoon for the home supporters who saw their side more than match their third-placed opponents for much of the game.

Ribb had started well although the absence of a genuine openside flanker meant they didn’t fully exploit the nervy play of Yarnbury’s young stand-off.

Steve Moon, who had an excellent game, scored the first points when he adroitly dropped a goal from a penalty when Yarnbury transgressed under pressure. A penalty from Moon extended the lead to 6-0 soon after.

Ribb had the better of the first half when they were shoving Yarnbury back and winning the line-out.

They scored an excellent try through Johnny Moore on the stroke of half-time when a slick pass from Alex Naylor put him through. Moon’s conversion established a 13-3 lead, Yarnbury’s only points coming from an Ollie Hardaker penalty.

It looked as though Ribb had enough in the tank to see off a big Yarnbury pack, but their lack of discipline meant a string of second-half penalties which allowed the visitors to dominate possession and position.

Yarnbury reorganised for the second half and were given a helping hand from the restart when Ribb dropped the ball. It set the tone for a half which saw Ribb’s indiscipline scupper their hopes of a much-needed win.

Ribb spent most of the second half in their own territory and it was no surprise when, after several repulsed attempts, Yarnbury second row Ian Maycock forced his way over for a try which Hardaker converted.

Moon was Ribb’s best player and he just could not hold on to a difficult interception chance. Ethan Henare and Matt Speres, Ribb’s best forwards nearly got through three or four times, but the pack was under pressure and lost the cohesion they had in the first half.

Two penalties from Hardaker sealed victory for Yarnbury and left Ribb looking up at the rest of the division.

They will draw encouragement from the performance of the excellent Moon while the centre partnership of Alex Naylor and Moore was solid in defence.

Jim Tunney had a good game and Matt Speres was his normal industrious self but the massive minus was the second-half indiscipline.