Promotion would be great send off for coach (From Craven Herald)

Promotion would be great send off for coach

7:16pm Wednesday 7th April 2010 in

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N Ribblesdale 40 W Leeds 12

A burst of scoring, half-time, two quickfire tries and a war of attrition ending with a final 60-yard effort summarises this match.

Ribb started in fine style with Henry Topham’s quick pass putting Stephen Moon away. Simon Bolland and Simon Chapman carried it on and Ribb should have scored in the first minute the support overrunning Mick Carr.

The resultant ruck gleaned a penalty for handling which Moon converted. Stubbs took the kick-off and Ribb were away again.

Chapman steamed into midfield and only desperate defence prevented a score.

Ribb won the ruck and Ryan Kirkbride got over, Moon converting, to make it 10-0 after ten minutes.

Leeds, forced back into their own 22, put in a weak clearing kick and this was seized on by Bolland who sprinted in for an unconverted try.

Five minutes later Moon kicked another penalty then came the best try of the match. Chapman supported a fine break by Moon handing on to John Thwaite who combined with Graham Newhouse to carry the ball 30 metres.

The defence was stretched and the supporting Moon found Spensley who scored wide out. This 30 minute burst netted 23 unanswered points. Understandably the pace slackened and Leeds came back but as a contest it appeared over.

The last ten minutes of the half were indecisive with defences well matched.

At half-time the visiting coach must have invigorated Leeds as they started with real purpose which was undermined when an injudicious quick throw-in gave the recipient the ball with James Ogden attached. Ribb scrambled the ball over for Ben Topham to claim the touchdown.

Leeds recovered the ball from the kick-off and put in a sloppy pass which was intercepted by Heap, who had another fine game. He sprinted 50 metres to score and this put Ribb 33-0 up.

A less tenacious side than West Leeds would have crumpled and let in a cricket score but to their credit they raised their game led by Jewell. They started to win and use ball with their back line looking effective for the first time.

On the hour they won ball swung it right, committed Ribb to the ruck and created an overlap on the left for Breakwell to score wide out.

They came back again after the kick-off and drove into the Ribb half. Stoke at scrum- half and Bird at No 8 created space under pressure.

A defensive lapse by Ribb let Stoke in for a converted try making it 33-12 with five minutes to go. Ribb rounded off the scoring after Bolland made 30 metres out of his own half handing on to Newhouse.

Pettiford was on hand and injected some pace into the move before giving Nathan Dakin the easiest canter in, Moon converting.

Ribb are now in the position of having to lose two games by a very big margin not to be promoted. They face two tricky away games at Goole and Pocklington and must not become complacent.

This was coach Elliot Sharp’s last match before taking a teaching post in Edinburgh. The best leaving present this talented coach could have is for Ribb to be promoted as champions. When he arrived Ribb were close to relegation. He has done a wonderful job with the team whose success is due in no small part to him.