Bright side of the Moon (From Craven Herald)

Bright side of the Moon

11:31am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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North Ribblesdale 21 Huddersfield YMCA 9

Having gone walkabout at Old Leodiensians the previous week coach Elliot Sharp’s deserved roasting worked wonders as Ribb’s title aspirations got back on track big style.

Although not as flamboyant as the away win at West Park Leeds in Bramhope this was more about true Dalesmen’s grit and determination.

They recovered from adversity to produce an immense mean-spirited defensive display where every man stood up to be counted to keep feisty opponents try-less.

Ribb started like the proverbial house on fire. A fine, free-flowing movement all the way across the back line saw Simon Chapman put Simon Spensley in out wide early doors.

Although the conversion failed it was an excellent start, settled the nerves of participants and spectators alike and turned out the best move of the match.

The rest of the first-half was a war of attrition which Ribb shaded in both territory and possession.

Two penalties to Ribb, three to Huddersfield and the half-time score was 11-9.

It was too close for comfort and slowly but surely the country boys gradually ground the city slickers into the dust.

A Steve Moon penalty eased the nerves a little more. Then after sustained pressure Moon crossed ther line himself and then converted to make it game, set and match.

Huddersfield YMCA’s previous, dangerous-looking back line became devoid of ideas as the continuous tackling and harassment began to tell.

Ribb relentlessly battered the YMCA line in the last ten minutes, having taken complete control.

They went close on numerous occasions but the icing on the cake under the vociferous balcony was not to be.

This was a superb victory in what was North Ribblesdale’s most important match of the season and it augurs well for the run in for the title in Yorkshire Division Two where they currently head the table by one point from Knottingley with West Park Leeds four points adrift.