Moon shines in North Ribblesdale defeat

A penalty goal two minutes from time sentenced North Ribblesdale to their third defeat of the season.

While not matching the high standards they set in beating Bridlington 50-0 the previous week, they did still produce some sparkling rugby.

This was reflected in the three tries they scored through Jonathan Richards (2) and Stephen Moon who is in the form of his life.

He ran in his try from 60 metres, landed three conversion and a penalty to crown a stunning individual performance which also included some immense defensive play.

Ribb were missing three of their form players, Simon Bolland, Nathan Dakin and Graham Newhouse whose bulk against a big pack was missed.

Dinnington won the toss and played up the hill with Ribb having to absorb some early pressure.

The midfield defence of Moon, Josh McFarlane and Johnny Moore proved resolute once again.

Once Ribb started to win possession McFarlane made two strong runs which put Dinnington on the back foot.

They went close to scoring when Moon darted left and Richards was held on the line.

The lack of a specialist open side saw Ribb lose three ruck balls in succession, one of the turnovers being forced on Dinnington's line.

Dinnington cleared and Ribb were penalised twice in the scrum.

The line out was driven and forward Starr was forced over for an unconverted try.

Moon sent the restart deep and Dinnington gave away a penalty which Moon slotted over.

Dinnington weathered some good pressure from Ribb to launch an attack up the middle through their big pack.

They engineered an overlap and looked set to score when Moon seized on a loose pass and sprinted down the hill to score a try which he also converted to establish a 10-3 lead.

Dinnington came storming back through their powerful forwards.

Player coach Hayden Viles put in some big tackles but inevitably they the pressure told.

Dinnington were awarded a penalty and with Ribb wandering back West took it quickly and went over for a try.

Before the break Ribb scored their second try. They moved the ball right to stretch the defence but Richards still had work to do as he forced himself over the line for a try. Moon’s conversion made it 17-13 at the break.

The second half was always going to be tough as Ribb had to play uphill.

Their powerful forwards kept the visitors in their own half for the first ten minutes.

A Ribb transgression and a penalty to the corner gave Dinnington a platform for their best scoring move., the catch and drive.

Dunn was credited with the touchdown and it looked like Ribb were facing a testing period of the match.

To their credit they showed commendable grit as they forced their way up the hill.

They won a line-out and mauled their way into the 22 before quick passing put Richards over or his second try. Moon landed his third successful conversion from a difficult angle.

Dinnington were stung by the score and kicked off deep unto the 22 where they kept Ribb penned in for fully ten minutes.

The defence was solid but the lively West dummied his way through to cut the deficit to a point.

Ribb’s kick off was returned deep into their territory as the home side pressed for the win.

They used their big pack to recycle ball and inevitably Ribb gave away a penalty which West converted to win the game by two points .

Ribb showed a lot of resilience and put themselves in a position to win the game despite not being at their best.

The most disappointing aspect of the afternoon was the bad hamstring injury sustained by Richards.

There’s another long trip in store for Ribb this Saturday when they visit Scarborough.

They have Graham Newhouse and Nathan Dakin back and are hoping to repeat last year’s away win Ribb seconds had a 75-3 win over Cleckheaton 3rds.