Bradford Salem 17 North Ribblesdale 20

NORTH Ribblesdale are not always at their best on the road and with several of their influential players injured, their faithful supporters had every reason to think that they would not add to their one Yorkshire One away success

Salem squandered an early chance for points when Danny Belcher was just wide with a penalty.

Good relieving kicks by half-backs David Fox and Steve Moon contained Salem in their half and the visitors went ahead when Moon landed a penalty after an illegal tackle.

Ribb's young and lighter pack were showing plenty of hunger and commitment to hunt down the ball and after dominating a five-metre scrum, Fox spun the ball to Moon and Jonathan Richards put Jonny Moore in under the posts for a try which Moon converted.

Ribb were now on a roll and Moon increased their lead when Salem were penalised for handling in a ruck.

Their momentum was checked when, after several pick and drives by the Salem pack in which big No 8 Chad Bain was prominent, stand off Belcher scored a try which he also converted.

Ribb were struggling to hold onto their lead and they fell behind just before the break. A speculative kick was hacked on over the Ribb try line and Salem were given the benefit of doubt after a dubious touchdown by winger Nick Fontaine. Belcher's conversion edged the hosts 14-13 ahead at the break.

Salem extended their lead when Ribb transgressed at a ruck and Belcher landed the penalty to make it 17-13.

Midway through the second half there were signs that Ribb's young pack were gradually getting the upper hand. Powerful surges by Mick Carr, Richard Lynn and man of the match Jim Tunney saw them camped deep in Salem's half.

Again Ribb were finding it difficult to penetrate the Salem defence, which was not helped by Ribb's sloppy passing and knock-ons.

With the clock ticking down Ribb's chances of winning the game were diminishing fast. However they were awarded a line-out deep in Salem's half and a rolling maul was set up.

The ball was trundled to within feet of Salem's try line but the final heave was stopped and the ball lost.

Ribb were not quite finished and Salem were visibly tiring. After successfully thwarting two retreating scrums, they could not stop the third and scrum half Fox nipped over to touch down near the posts. Moon converted to make it 20-17 with five minutes remaining.

Half backs Steve Moon and David Fox were key to Ribb's success while the second row pairing of teenagers Will Booth and Andy Thwaite impressed.