North Ribblesdale 9 Doncaster Phoenix 25

TWO late tries secured a deserved win for Doncaster over a battling North Ribblesdale side who are battling to pull away from the foot of Yorkshire One.

The visitors made the most of their forward power with their driven line-out proving to be the one tactic which gallant Ribb just could not contain.

Doncaster's pack were much bigger than their Ribb counterparts, but the home side made up for their lack of size with spirit and determination.

The home backs carried more threat than their counterparts even though the Doncaster inside centre was bigger than any of their forwards.

Ribb made a bright start to the game and deservedly took a 6-0 lead through two penalties from Stephen Moon, who was the best back on the field.

His first kick was from 40 yards and he followed up with an even longer penalty to put Ribb in the lead.

Doncaster signalled their intent when they put the ball into the corner from a penalty and mauled Adam Kettle over for a converted try.

In between there was some thunderous tackling from both back lines in what was a very tight game for the whole of the first half and the first 20 minutes after the break.

Doncaster mauled their way to to the line from a line-out for a converted try which gave them a narrow 7-6 advantage at the interval.

Doncaster changed their game at half-time. They opted for a tight ten-man style which involved them using their big men to drive repeatedly at the Ribb half backs who were up to the job.

Ribb were unlucky to be penalised for crossing and Ben Millar kicked the penalty to stretch the lead to 10-6.

Ribb had a good spell after this but could not make the significant breakthrough. Moon took an interception on halfway but was dragged down ten yards short of the line.

Michael Thwaite sidestepped his way out of his own 22 but lacked support and Simon Bolland was always a threat.

Ribb could not score a try but their defensive effort was immense. The absence of experienced players Mick Carr, David Fox and Jonathan Richards didn't help their cause but George Carr came in at scrum half and had a tidy game.

Miller used the string of penalties Doncaster were winning to kick into the corner to set up line-outs which his pack used to drive at the home defence.

Late in the game the strain told. Doncaster scored the decisive try to put the score at 19-9. Doncaster finished the game off with a characteristic mauled try by Tom Bagnall converted by Millar.

Ribb have played well for the last two games but are still anchored to the bottom of the table. It is important that they keep the effort and work rate as high as in the last two games.

It is important that they come away from Hullensians on Saturday with points.