North Ribblesdale 20 West Park 14

North Ribblesdale made it two wins from two in Yorkshire Two but they lacked the cutting edge in their finishing which was a key factor in their victory over Old Grovians.

Heavy rain greeted the teams at Grove Park and North Ribblesdale were the first team to settle.

A catch and drive from a line-out saw Tom Frik denied in the corner before further pressure from a scrum kept West park on the back foot.

North Ribblesdale opened the scoring when stand-off Michael Thwaite slotted a penalty and they followed up with an unconverted try from Ryan Sumner.

The home side had the bit between their teeth and after a line-out went awry, flanker John Padley pounced to score a try which Thwaite converted for a 15-0 lead.

Another big score looked in the offing until Padley had to leave the action with a head injury after 30 minutes. Ribb seemed to struggle for possession after his departure and the match developed into a very different contest in the second half.

West Park winger Harry Harrison squeezed in at the corner for a try that was well converted by Callum Smithson to open the visitors’ account.

Ribb came back and on the hour with their new Kiwi recruit Fromm Riemana barging over from close range to make the score 20-7. Thwaite’s conversion attempt struck a post.

Park substitute Callum Thompson scorched down the wing to score a converted try tobring Park to within a score.

Ribb pressed but could not get another bonus-point try as Andrew Thwaite and then Matthew Speres were both deemed to have been held up when over the line.

On another day either could have been allowed. West Park were not finished and following some frenetic scuffling were awarded a penalty in their own 22.

They took a quick tap and stormed downfield and pacy winger Harrison went for the line, but 17-year-old Freddie Howarth was equal to the test and hauled him down 20 metres short.

The Park number 10 was still lying prostrate on the ground after taking a blow from only he knows where.

The referee ended proceedings at which point the injured player stood up ran off the pitch giving the annoyed balcony supporters a wave as he went past.

It was a poor end to an average game and Ribb must improve their tackling out wide and look to break the line more often.

Padley will be missed and the coaches have plenty to think about ahead of the next couple of games. Wetherby away this week and then against Old Otliensians on September 22. However having said that many teams will be happy to win when not at their best and Ribb will look to build more momentum going forward.