North Ribblesdale 28 Bradford Salem 18

BRADFORD Salem must have fancied their chances at Grove Park on Saturday as they had demolished Old Crossleyans who Ribb only narrowly beat.

However they were disrupted by a late arrival due to two road accidents.

The game was dominated by the rival back threes with Ribb having the final word with a converted try by the returning Matt Spears.

The visitors made a sloppy start when their kick off failed to reach the ten-metre line. Ribb won the resulting scrum and took play into the visitors’ 22.

When Ribb were awarded a penalty they kicked for the corner but failed to score from the line-out.

They also missed out on a scoring opportunity from an attacking scrum which was wheeled and Salem cleared the ball into the Ribb half.

The visitors celebrated their let off and earned a penalty which Belcher converted to open the scoring.

Salem attacked again from the restart and forced a penalty which Savage took quickly and handed on to Danny Belcher who sent Chris Clough in for a try out wide. Belcher’s conversion hit the post.

Salem were 8-0 ahead, maybe against the run of play. but they were good value for their try.

Steve Moon kicked two penalties to one from Belcher before Ribb chose to unleash Simon Bolland who had been looking ominously strong.

Johnny Moore put the ball inside, Bolland had a clear run to the full back before passing to the supporting David Fox who went under the posts for a try which Moon converted with half-time approaching.

Ribb started strongly and pressure told with Moon kicking a penalty for offside.

Then Ribb pulled off another good move switching the ball left but a long pass was put down with a clear route to the line.

Ribb continued to press and Moon kicked another penalty to extend the lead.

Salem were not finished and it was no surprise when the elusive Smith went over from 40 yards after cutting in from the wing to beat the cover. Danny Belcher reduced the lead to a single point with a conversion.

Salem were within a point and were pressing in an inordinately long injury time.

Ribb kept them at bay and then, in the last minute, Spears scrambled over after a characteristic burst. Moon’s conversion denied Salem a bonus point.