North Ribblesdale 34 Selby 5

NORTH Ribblesdale traded places with Selby after recording their first Yorkshire One win of the season to lift themselves off the bottom of the table.

The resounding bonus-point win reflected their dominance of a game where their forwards held the edge.

Selby defended well until they tired in the last 20 minutes and Ribb scored three tries.

The one consolation for Selby – who now prop up the table – was the try scored by their left winger Brad Lazenby which is reckoned to be one of the best individual efforts seen at Grove Park this season.

Collecting scrappy ball deep in his own half, he stepped outside his man and broke away. After swerving past the full back he beat the covering defence to score wide out.

One of the pleasing features of the game was the way Ribb performed in the tight despite fielding a lightweight second-row pairing of the Thwaite brothers.

The increased mobility enabled Ribb to secure more than their normal share of the loose ball.

For once Ribb did not spill a single kick-off and this enabled them to consolidate after each score.

The backs were more fluent and both wingers got their share of the ball which was a welcome sight.

The first ten minutes were understandably tense as the two struggling sides looked to make their mark on the game.

The first points came when Steve Moon converted an early penalty to settle Ribb’s nerves.

It was the first of a host of penalties Selby conceded during the match and this became a key factor as it prevented them from achieving any continuity.

Selby lost the ball from the restart and Moon was presented with another penalty chance but his shot from 40 yards rattled a post.

Moon made amends five minutes later with another penalty from wide out to double the lead.

Selby’s response was Lazenby’s stunning solo try which reduced Ribb’s lead to a single point.

The visitors had a good spell after scoring but the impressive John Padley, Richard Wood and Matt Speres were dominant in the loose.

Two further penalties by Moon saw Ribb lead 12-5 at the break

With the wind having veered round Ribb had an added advantage as they played towards their favoured clubhouse end.

Speres made a 40-metre burst before releasing the ball for Tom Frik to score Ribb’s first try. Ribb were on the attack again from the kick-off with Ryan Sumner running a hard line and the two wingers making ground before Speres dived over for the second try which was converted by Moon.

Once again Ribb secured the restart through Andrew Thwaite who set up a further surge by Speres who was stopped under the post.

Selby's replacement back row was yellow carded for a high tackle and Ribb opted for the scrum with Speres dotting the ball down after an impressive surge by the pack.

For the last 20 minutes Ribb were in charge as they searched for a bonus point. Selby, a man down, were defending strongly but could not get out of their own 22.

A series of drives from line-outs were repulsed, but at the expense of a penalty where Ribb opted for a scrum. Ribb took the same option when their opponents offended again.

This time scrum half Peter Cook got the ball to Ryan Sumner who came in on a tight hard line to score the bonus-point try which was converted by Moon for a satisfactory win.