Quarter-final performance is fitting gift to departing Sharp (From Craven Herald)

Quarter-final performance is fitting gift to departing Sharp

11:02pm Wednesday 28th April 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

North Ribblesdale 15, Castleford 28

Victory might not have been theirs in this Yorkshire Shield quarter-final but Ribblesdale endured a bruising forward battle to finish with some sparkling back play, and the final try by Moimoi was a fine move to round off a successful season.

Indeed if Ribb had kicked three first-half penalties they could have won the match and a daunting trip to Brid-lington for the semi-final.

As it was, they battled away, but competing with Castleford’s muscular forwards without the injured Carr and Ogden was too much.

Castleford managed to get on the wrong side of the referee in the first half, two men going to the bin and one, which a less lenient referee would have given red for, in the second half.

However, they were the first to admit they had some good fortune.

Their first score was dropped over the line and their final try – an interception – was clearly a knock-on.

Both scores were ‘worth’ 12 points. However, Ribb were well beaten up front and had the unheard of indignity of being shoved around in the scrum to the extent that they conceded a penalty try.

The last time they were shoved about like this was at Castleford three years ago.

In addition, the visitors had a monster pair of second rows.

Ribb did win most of their line-out ball through the dependable Dugdale, but they lost a few as well.

They were also outmauled, losing possession on several occasions.

At half-time, Ribb were 12-3 down and, although taking a battering up front, showed signs of coming back into the game – and come back they did.

Fox and Moon started to combine beautifully, with Moon putting the powerful Bolland away – he was a real handful all game.

Moimoi was at his elusive best, and the Castleford backs only coped because of the amount of ball their pack won.

For most of the second half, Castleford battened down the hatches, using their big forwards to keep possession away from a Ribb backline that was oozing confidence. On another day Ribb could have snatched it.

One loop move by Moon split the defence and only a desperate last-ditch tackle saved a score.

In the last 20 minutes, Ribb were extremely dominant outside but becoming more vulnerable up front.

Castleford kicked deep and won the line-out. Ribb stopped them but were shunted off the resultant scrum.

Castleford, at five yards out, were not legally stoppable and Ribb conceded seven points.

This was deserved, but five minutes later, Moon, seeing a mismatch in his own 22, put Heap away.

He made ground to the ten-metre line and passed inside to Chapman who had a fine game.

The defensive winger attempted an interception and knocked the ball to the ground.

Everyone except him stopped and he ran into the corner for a try. This was a clear knock-on but put Castleford well clear.

Ribb came back, however, and Moimoi got a reward for the home back-line.

This was a fine game. Maybe the Ribb forwards need to up their game but the backline were in very fine form and showed what they are capable of, even when starved of ball.

The defensive forward effort was immense. All the forwards tackled well and Dakin marshalled the ebullient Castleford No 8 very well.

Ribb have now had a taste of what is needed at the top of Yorkshire One and know they need some improvement but it is eminently attainable.

Their backline, if kept intact, will thrive and there is plenty of improvement to come from what is essentially a young side.

This was Elliot Sharp’s last game as coach. This young man is owed a debt by Ribblesdale and, although he is certain to coach at a higher level than this, he will not be held in higher esteem than at Ribb.

* Tickets are still available for the North Ribblesdale players’ dinner on Friday, May 14.

The club’s annual meeting is on Friday, May 28, while the mini section hold on Monday, May 10.