Ribb hit back to beat battling basement side (From Craven Herald)

Ribb hit back to beat battling basement side

1:41pm Thursday 15th April 2010 in

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Goole 26 N Ribblesdale 30

North Ribblesdale were relieved to come away with a win after a torrid opening saw them slump to 26-8 with 20 minutes to go.

In the end their composure and fitness carried them through with praiseworthy performances from the Ribb front five, in particular second row partners Graham Newhouse and Tom Clay played very well but the Ribb star was winger Simon Bolland who was a threat every time he got the ball.

Jonny Moimoi was also a threat which caused the home defence to scramble when he got possession.

The start was ominous, of all indignities Ribb got shoved off their own scrum ball. The shocked travelling fans could see this was not going to be a walkover against the team second bottom of the league.

Worse followed for with Ribb still on the back foot they conceded a try wide out on the left.

Ribb woke up and from the kick-off Stephen Moon spun the ball wide; Bolland, as is his custom, beat his man and inter-passed with Simon Chapman, who sprinted in from 50 metres.

At 8-3 Goole came back and pressed Ribb hard before their centre stepped over for another try. Ten minutes later they kicked a penalty for holding on after the tackle, an offence Ribb were penalised for repeatedly. They were lucky not to get a sin-binning.

After 25 minutes they were 18-5 down with a penalty. However, despite being well behind Ribb started to play. The scrum tightened and started to dominate and although there were hiccups the line-out was solid with Clay taking good middle ball.

Outside, Moon was prompting the backline and Bolland was looking dangerous. The defence tightened and Goole started to struggle in midfield but their back row was tenacious on the loose ball and Ribb were turned over a few times. They were penalised a lot for not releasing.

At half-time Ribb knew they were in a game against a Goole side whose play defied their lowly status.

Ben Topham gave his men a stirring talk and the game turned round.

Ribb had most of the play in the first 20 minutes but could not break through and the high penalty count allowed Goole to keep them out.

Goole kicked a further penalty and then scored a breakaway try which they thought had sealed the game at 26-8.

Although there were strong words behind the posts Ribb did not know they were beaten. Pressure by Ryan Kirkbride and Nathan Dakin at the kick-off forced a turnover.

Moon missed out Moimoi and Bolland, given space by Topham’s pass, stepped inside, casually shook off his man and sprinted in for a try.

Ribb were now in the ascendancy but Goole were not out of the game and they got in the Ribb half . A good tackle by replacement Davidson stemming a dangerous break.

Into the last 20 minutes the home pack visibly tired and the scrum was struggling. A fine run by Moimoi took play into the home 22 and Adam Stubbs sprinted in from 30 metres with Moon converting.

Ribb started to use their scrum dominance with Moon distributing well, bringing his big forwards into the game. An off-side gleaned a further three points for 23-26 and a win was in reach.

Ribb’s pack had their best period and using the kick-off ball Newhouse made a massive dent and Carr burst down the left putting in a kick near the corner.

It was a home line-out and a knock on gave Ribb a close range scrum.

Goole could not compete, transgressed and a penalty try converted by Moon put Ribb in front for the first time.

Ribb were ahead but the game was not over. In the last five minutes Goole came back but such was Ribb’s scrum dominance that they could not secure enough possession to threaten and a relieved Ribb took the points.

Goole are a good side and their league position does not do them justice. They have had an appalling run of injuries and though they are relegated they will surely be back up.

Ribb have that winning habit which they will need to take to Pocklington to seal the title now they are promoted. That is never easy.

Ribb also have a shield game on April 24 at home and should fear noone there.