5:54pm Wednesday 10th February 2010
By Sportsdesk
The mystic East of Humberside held no fears for the mighty North Ribblesdale as the promotion band wagon rolled relentlessly along.
They were welcomed with open arms on their first ever visit to Hullensians with excellent pre-match food on offer.
In the first quarter Ribb defended heroically, only conceding one penalty.
Then came a piece of magic that transformed the whole game.
It came from a most unlikely source too. Hooker cum prop Adam Stubbs, not well-known for his athleticism, broke clear on the half-way line and galloped to the 22, brushing would-be tacklers aside with consummate ease to put that poacher extraordinaire Mick Carr in wide out.
Steve Moon missed with his attempted conversion kick but North Ribblesdale relaxed and never looked like losing, although they had to work hard throughout for an excellent victory.
The home support thought they were going to get a pushover try as Ribblesdale backpeddalled for a metre but normal service was resumed as Hullensians were put in reverse.
An excellent Hullensians threequarter move the width of the pitch saw the winger magnificently tackled into touch by Carr.
The score remained at 11-6 up to the last five minutes with two penalties to Ribb and one to Hullensians so it was tight.
Moon then put the game to bed with a final penalty.
Ribb dominated the last ten minutes and looked the more likely to score.
Nathan Dab was unanimously voted man-of-the-match.
It was good to see the smallest guy on the pitch get the award proving you don’t have to be an incredible hulk to excel at this game.
Like the elusive pimpernel Cobby was here, there and everywhere.
If the pitch had been dry no doubt North Ribblesdale would probably have wiped the floor with their opponents.
The home touch judge had his flag removed by the referee due to his lack of impartiality and inciting the crowd.
Ribb now have nine matches left in which to seal the Yorkshire Division two title and promotion.
They currently hold a mere one point lead over Knottingley who they entertain at Grove Park on Saturday.
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