North Ribblesdale 24 Old Crossleyans 21

TEN minutes into the second half Ribb had a 24-0 lead and were looking for a half century, but with three minutes to go they were hanging on to a slender three-point advantage.

Powder-puff tackling, a back line that operated too deep and a reluctance to get the ball to the powerful Simon Bolland almost saw them throw away their first win of the season.

The forwards were also guilty of squandering scoring opportunities by going for the line when they perhaps should have passed the ball out to the backs.

Ribb started the game well with their forwards winning plenty of ball with stand-off Mick Thwaite distributing it well and Steve Moon opened the scoring with a penalty The first try wasn’t long coming. John Padley turned the ball over in midfield and set Moon away on a run which led to a score for Jonny Moore. Moon added the extras and also landed the conversion when Alex Naylor found some space on the right and Angus Carr zipped through a crowded midfield to score wide out.

A strong run by Bolland into the 22 saw Moon go close before Ribb laid siege to the Crocs line. The visitors gave away three penalties, but the Ribb pack picked and drove and ignored the backs outside to waste a position of strength.

Ribb started the second half well with Alex Naylor coming into the line at pace going round the outside centre to put Ryan Gill away for a try which Moon converted.

It looked like the floodgates would open, but Crocs had other ideas after the introduction of replacement stand-off Richard Jowitt.

As Ribb took their foot off the gas, Crocs started driving at their defence through their number eight Sembi.

John Thwaite made a try-saving tackle before Jowett put Saltonstall through from an inside ball under the posts for a converted try.

Crocs had their tails up and Jowett made a nice break before creating the chance for Saltonstall to score his second try which was converted by Sweeney.

When Ribb picked up their second yellow card of the game, Crocs took advantage by putting flanker Wainwright over in the corner with Sweeney converting.

Ribb were clinging on for the final three minutes with 14 men to keep their lead..