Less than convincing North Ribblesdale stay top (From Craven Herald)

Less than convincing North Ribblesdale stay top

9:30am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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North Ribblesdale 12 Moortown 10

This stuttering performance was enough keep Ribb at the top of the table, although it was less than convincing against a Moortown side who were well beaten in the tight but thrived off a diet of aimless kicking.

Ribb have short memories, they were punished by a set of speedy counter-attacking backs at Moortown and they came close to throwing this game away after a series of penalties against took them from an attacking five metre scrum to their own 22, where a deft inside pass put Plummer over for a try.

This was converted by Lewis, who also kicked a penalty. Ribb’s scorer was Stephen Moon who kicked four penalties Ribb may complain that the referee did no allow them to scrummage. They are correct.

Ribb’s first attempt at a pushover was foiled by Moortown standing up, an obvious penalty which if repeated leads to a penalty try. The referee was excellent in every respect except the scrum.

Ribb undoubtedly should have had two penalty tries, which would have put the game to bed but they must be more adaptable and roll with the punches. Time and again they walked the scrum forward ten or even 20 metres and lost it.

They never grasped that the official was not going to referee the scrum. The ball should have been moved away for the half-backs to kick for position or set up in midfield.

A move off the back row could have been tried especially as the defending back row were having to push.

The home pack provided a huge amount of ball for the backs in the first-half but they seemed confused about how to use it and often kicked without purpose or any meaningful chase.

With with an attacking back three like Chapman, Spensley and Bolland moving the ball wide and supporting would have been a better use of the ball.

Ribb did have enough possession for Moon to kick three penalties and Ribb did go close to scoring a try on a couple of occasions but despite their dominance in the tight the first-half was dominated by kicking.

Ribb had started by dropping the first half-a-dozen passes and kicks but did settle down and some driving runs by Kirkbride showed the way.

And though they should have scored at least one try they were good value for a half- time lead.

The main problem was a lack of continuity caused by poor handling and kicking.

After half-time Ribb came alive, a series of driving runs where Garth and Dugdale were prominent soon had Moortown on the back foot, Moon kicking his fourth penalty for off-side.

Then inexplicably Ribb went to sleep, the successful first ten minutes gave way to turgid kicking which the visitors used to keep Ribb at bay.

Time and again Spensley and Bolland looped in support to make extra men, then had to watch the ball booted away. Ribb had their moments in the second-half, which included a series of scrums on the visitors’ line but the refereeing meant that they were unlikely to score.

But instead of moving go forward ball into midfield they persisted, lost the ball and were penalised.

Moortown showed the home backline speed and purpose to score a well-worked try to get within one score but luckily they ran out of time.

A more thoughtful approach should be given consideration. There is a huge amount of experience in the side but it was not apparent. If something does not work don’t persevere, try something else, get ball on the front foot and go from there. Senior players should take responsibility and above all not carp when things go wrong.

However, a win when you do not play well is a sign of a good side and Ribb are still top of the league, although Knottingley have a game in hand.

On Saturday Ribb visit Pocklington, not a happy hunting ground in the past.

Ribb will have to be at their very best and copy the workrate of the front five and be a little more thoughtful.