Scarborough 21 North Ribblesdale 21

 North Ribblesdale were made to pay for not having the nous to close out victory in a game they should have won at a canter as Scarborough kicked a last-minute penalty to snatch a draw.

Twice Ribb came from behind to lead but on each occasion they let their opponents off the hook.

Ribb were the better side in every department other than the scrum and their opponents seemed incapable of scoring from outside the 22.

The pattern of the game was set early on as Scarborough, backed by the tricky breeze, created pressure and took the lead with a penalty from Tom Ratcliffe.

This advantage was short lived as three minutes later a hasty clearance kick inside the home 22 was charged down.

From a subsequent line-out Ribb gained possession and some uncharacteristically poor Scarborough tackles saw fly-half Stephen Moon touch down.

Scarborough regained the lead in the 31st minute with a try after they won possession in midfield.

Tom Harrison’s cross-field kick found Graeme Jeffrey on the left touchline.

The big full back sprinted over from 20 metres. It was a poor score to concede.

Ribb’s midfield defence was again looking solid while Nathan Dakin was quick to pounce on the loose ball.

Ribb worked their way downfield and the home side were forced to put the ball out of play.

Under the guidance of their player coach Hayden Viles Ribb have become a patient side .

Russ Ingham won possession at the line-out, Jonny Moore made a dent in midfield and the ball was recycled three times before the ever-improving Ethan Henare burst the line and Moon added the conversion.

Scarborough kicked off deep and Ribb took the ball right back to them. Good passing found Simon Bolland on the left and he made a break in field before being caught on the 22 as Scarborough scrambled the ball away.

A short line-out was won by Ribb and Matt Speres touched down.

The Scarborough touch judge stood with his flag up and indicated to the referee that the ball had not gone five metres.

Ribb believe that at this level the touch judges – who are not ndependent – are only allowed to indicate if the ball is in or out of play and whether a kick has gone over the posts.

Ribb are seeking clarification of this from the appropriate authority. The resultant penalty allowed Scarborough to clear.

Harrison kicked a penalty early in the second half as Scarborough reduced Ribb’s lead to 12-11, before the home side had scrum half Zbynec Schutz sin-binned It was the chance for Ribb to turn the screw but the only score they managed during his absence was a penallty goal from Moon from 40 metres as the home side dug in The lead was stretched to seven points as Carr and Henare caused panic in the home defence.

Their good work resulted in quick ball which enabled Moon to find the room to drop a goal from 30 metres.

Ribb had ample opportunity to hoof the ball down field but persisted in playing around their own 22.

The one part of Scarborough’s game that was functioning well was the scrum and it proved to be a decisive tool in their armoury.

Ribb were forced back at a scrum in their 22 and flanker Blake Nightin- gale scored under the posts with Harrison converting to make it 18-18.

Moon edged his side ahead again with another fine penalty but Ribb failed to heed the warning signs.

Ribb had been dominating the line-out so one in their own 22 should not have posed too many problems.

Surely a flat banker ball to the front and a long clearing kick on the wind was what was needed.

Sadly, they went for an ambitious high ball and were caught offside in midfield. That gave Harrison the chance to slot the late penalty which tied the scores.

It was a cruel blow for Ribb as was the news that Viles has broken three bones in his hand due to having to go down on a ball that one of his colleagues threw away rather than take into contact. It means that the best Ribb side for years will be without coach Viles and skipper Jonathan Richards so they will have to show what they are made of when they host newcomers Doncaster Phoenix at on Saturday.