6:30pm Wednesday 17th February 2010
By Andrew Mills
This was a cracking, competitive match between the two most likely promotion candidates in which the score slightly flattered Ribb.
Ribb’s scrum dominance was more than matched by Knottingley’s superb line- out. The visitors had the most fluent backline but Ribb’s obdurate defence once again dominated.
There were a number of outstanding performances from both sides. John Thwaite and James Ogden were at their destructive best in the scrum and the visiting ten, despite carrying an injury, prompted a fleet-footed backline.
Ribb started brightly moving the ball wide giving the excellent Simon Bolland his first run but Knottingley’s defence held. They then dominated the next 20 minutes repeatedly stretching the home defence but could not break through.
Ribb then came into the game with Simon Spensley bursting out of defence taking play to the visitors’ 22. Encroachment gave Stephen Moon his first penalty opportunity which he took with ease. Ryan Kirkbride as is his wont secured the kick-off and made good hard ground up to half way, quick ball was sent out and Simon Bolland made it into the 22 only desperate covering keeping him out.
Knottingley’s stand-off is a fine player who has undone Ribb in the past. He probed and prodded Ribb’s midfield but it stood firm, Topham and Moimoi holding the line.
A turnover and a charge by Mick Carr took Ribb into the visitors’ half and an off-side brought a nicely struck penalty by Moon. For a change Stubbs took the kick- off and a probing kick from Moimoi set up a line-out.
Ribb had struggled here but Dugdale secured middle ball. An attacking ruck from Moimoi’s break forced another penalty, converted by Moon.
Ribb were good value for the lead but fortunate that it was nine points. Knottingley had deserved something and would have had it against a less well-organised defence.
Ribb turned round playing towards the clubhouse. It is strange but true that up the slight slope they invariably play better, perhaps it is the braying horde on the club balcony.
This match, despite an unusual north wind in their face, was no exception. Ribb started at a cracking pace, fluent passing saw both Bolland and Spensley into the game. Second phase ball moved wide stretched Knottingley and Moon spotted space behind the right wing.
The winger had the predatory pair of Ben Topham and Bolland to cope with as he turned to secure the ball. A hard tackle from Bolland saw Topham score from the spilled ball. Moon’s missed conversion was his only blemish.
Ribb then became a little negative and complacent in every deparment except scrum and defence. Although Knottingley struggled all day in the scrum against the destructive power of Ogden and Thwaite they had a rich vein of possession in the line-out. With quality possession off the top of the line they launched attack after attack at Ribb who defended with relish.
One shuddering tackle from Bolland drove the burly second row backwards. But they were playing in their own half .The visitors have a good back line but despite territory could not break down the defence.
The try when it came was from short range, a tenacious drive by the centre got over carrying two players.
The try was converted so the visitors were in touch but a further penalty by Moon meant that the visitors had to score twice. It was possible but unlikely against a home defence smarting from the score.
Ribb held on with no more scoring. Knottingley did not subside, the forward exchanges were brisk, the referee speaking to both sides which did not seem to cool things down.
The Ribb pack kept their shape and won enough ball to keep Knottingley out of the danger area. With the game safe Ribb made a substitution bringing on Will Davidson for his first team debut. This young man has pace and skill and though he only got ten minutes he is a talented player we will see a lot more of.
Ribb, having seen off Knottingley’s considerable challenge, now face the challenge of second-placed West Park Leeds away on Saturday.
Always a challenging venue but with their team spirit and mean defence Ribb are capable of winning away again but once again will need to be at their very best.
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