North Ribblesdale 10 Malton & Norton 18

NORTH Ribblesdale's hopes of turning their season around with a victory were cruelly dashed late in the second half.

The result was a bitter disappointment after they produced a much improved performance in difficult conditions.

It took a lot of hard work from club officials to get Grove Park fit for play. The pitch was heavy and the day was cold and crisp.

Ribb started brightly and were matching their opponents. Their rousing start was rewarded when the prolific Simon Bolland scythed through a sleepy defence to score by the posts after his team had gone through the phases to set up the position.

Alex Naylor was successful with the conversion to establish a seven-point advantage for Ribb.

The introduction of both Mick Carr and Willie Garth to the forwards seemed to steady the scrummage after its recent struggles.

Matthew Speres and Sam Boatwright were both forceful in their play and there was a clear air of optimism among the Ribb faithful.

Malton were rattled but hit back with a try from Ian Cooke after their forwards had set up the position with a series of drives

Ribb continued to press and just before the interval a powerful catch and drive was eventually scrambled away by the visitors.

Malton changed tactics at half-time. They discarded their passing game and opted to kick for position.

Ribb were in determined mood and moved further ahead early in the second half when Naylor landed a penalty, but a high tackle gave Buthelese Sodladla the chance to reply in kind.

Malton's pack had an increasing influence and when in the Ribb 22 they just picked and drove relentlessly. From two catch and drives prop Rob Featherstone went over for a try. Sodladla's difficult conversion kick put the visitor's ahead for the first time.

Ribb were undeterred and came back to challenge. Despite their brave efforts they could not find a way through.

Malton turned the screw in the last ten minutes and a a last-minute drop goal from Sodladla cruelly denied Ribb a much-needed bonus point.

This was a huge improvement on the previous week's performance. With nine games left, Ribb probably need to win six to have a chance of staying up.

The evergreen Patrick Illingworth had a fine game in the centre and there was a welcome return from Wharfedale of local lad Adam Whaites. Ribb will need to call on all his experience in the remainder of the season if they are to climb the table.

This performance had many positives. Ribb have a week off before travelling to once mighty Middlesbrough for a first league encounter with renewed hope.