Scarborough 52 North Ribblesdale 10

NORTH Ribblesdale's long trek to the East Coast ended in another Yorkshire One defeat which keeps them rooted to the bottom of the table.

The game followed the Yorkshire Carnegie v Ealing match and kicked off at 4.15 pm.

The late start and bleak, cold day clearly didn't help as the visitors went behind in under three minutes when precise passing saw the Scarborough right wing Marshall cross in the corner for a try which was converted by Graeme Hogg – brother of Scotland international Stuart.

A few minutes later a further touchdown by lock Readman, again converted by Hogg, stretched the home lead to 14 points.

Ribb came back at Scarborough through powerful runs by No 8 Mick Carr and captain Jonny Moore.

Their efforts were rewarded when Scarborough went offside at a ruck and Mick Thwaite reduced the arrears with a penalty.

Scarborough responded by powering upfield and prop Nino Cutino crossed the Ribb line, again for Hogg to convert from the touchline to see Scarborough lead 21-3 at half-time.

The second half saw Matthew Speres replace the injured Richard Wood and immediately he caused huge problems for the Scarborough defence. Unfortunately this momentum could not be sustained, but on one rare incursion into the Scarborough 22 area, good work by the Ribb pack saw Adam Middleton run a brilliant line to cross near the posts.

Mick Thwaite converted.

This score stung Scarborough and their intensity visibly lifted, especially in the forwards.

With the home side securing vast amounts of possession, Ribb could not contain this last quarter onslaught and Scarborough ran in a further five tries.

Ribb have numerous problems but the out-wide defence is their main cause for concern, where most teams have exploited the lack of pace and first-up tackling.

With injured players becoming available in the next few weeks, Ribb's problems might ease slightly, but it will take a mighty effort if they are to avoid relegation and make the long journey to the East Coast next season.