Old Brodleians 49 North Ribblesdale 13

NORTH Ribblesdale saw a promising start fizzle out as they suffered a disappointing Yorkshire One defeat.

They conceded 26 points in the second half as the home side eventually secured victory by a comfortable margin.

Playing down the hill in the first half, Ribb went 10-3 up thanks to a penalty try after their pack had heaved Brods back over their own line at a scrum, and a penalty for offside from Steve Moon.

Unfortunately, they their way for the rest of the first half as Brods' new centre Samoan centre Simanu Tusinga took the game by the scruff of the neck.

He scored two tries and made another for Smith as Brods hit back to secure a half-time lead of 23-10.

Ribb knew they were literally up against it. Few sides win at Brods when they trail after playing with the slope.

Ribb’s scrum was solid and the line-out was efficient but they are light in the back row and playing Andy Thwaite and Richard Wood at two and four in the line-out meant that John Paddley had to cover all three back row positions from defensive line-outs against a rampant Brods side.

Brods scored four more tries in the second half, but Ribb did have their moments and spent ten minutes battering the line.

Maybe they kept it too tight which meant they didn't make the most of the dangerous centre pairing of Jonny Moore and Moon or the raw pace of Simon Bolland on the wing.

Ribb suffered another blow when Moore went of with a dislocated finger, the silver lining. His replacement, Jonathan Richards, announced his return to action with a cracking tackle on Tusinga.

Given their injury problems, Ribb played well with a lot of endeavour. Unfortunately, there was a lack of tactical direction from the forwards.

With a light pack there is a need to get the ball away from the set piece and play wide. Ribb’s opted to keep bashing away in the 22 and this nullified any opportunity of supplying the sort of quick ball that the backs need.

Ribb face another tough trip on Saturday when they visit Malton & Norton away. They must learn from these games and add a bit more nous to the great spirit they play with.