North Ribblesdale 17, Huddersfield YMCA 15

In a much better display than the previous week, North Ribblesdale just about earned their narrow victory.

With good weather and ground conditions Ribb kicked off away from the clubhouse.

From the start YMCA elected to move the ball wide but sound defence by the Ribb midfield of James Wallbank and Dan Watson saw YMCA transgress. Unfortunately Will Davidson’s penalty drifted wide.

For the next quarter it was all YMCA. Ribb were falling off tackles and were finding it difficult to secure possession.

The visitors took full advantage of Ribb’s malaise by breaking their line twice with apparent ease. So, after only a quarter of the game gone YMCA were 12 points up and Ribb’s position in the league was looking more precarious.

Then, one or two strong words by captain Watson seemed to galvanise Ribb and for the next quarter they were in the ascendancy.

Powerful drives by Mick Carr, Ryan Kirkbride and man of the match Adam Stubbs saw the latter score halfway out. With the conversion missed Ribb went into half-time 12-5 down but with growing optimism for the second period.

The next 40 minutes turned out to be nail-biting stuff, with both sets of forwards going head to head at full tilt and both sets of three-quarters trying to play expansive rugby.

However, it was Ribb who were gradually getting the upper hand which resulted in their young backs making inroads into YMCA territory.

One sparkling break by Will Davidson took play up to the 22. Quick ball was won and skipper Watson touched down for Davidson to convert.

YMCA came back and their forwards set up a rolling maul which saw Ribb get caught offside in front of their posts. The penalty was successfully converted.

But Ribb were not finished, especially now that they were playing towards their vociferous supporters, who must be worth several points!

Ribb tent on 18-year-old Robert Hayes to add pace on the wing and Dean Stacy and Richard Maudsley to add extra power to the pack.

So with Rob Corner controlling the line-outs and with Ribb’s front row of Graham Newhouse, Stubbs and Maudsley bossing the scrum, plenty of possession started to come their way.

Powerful runs by Newhouse and Stubbs caused mayhem in the YMCA defence.

The ball was moved wide to Lee Walker whose pace took him to five yards from the YMCA line, where he was then taken out by a high tackle.

Ribb opted for a scrum and their pack shunted YMCA back over their line for Kirkbride to get the touchdown.

Ribb were now two points clear and with injury-time approaching YMCA made one last effort to regain the lead, but the Blue's defence held out for Ribb to get an excellent result in a cracking game.