North Ribb's young bucks push Cas all the way (From Craven Herald)

North Ribb's young bucks push Cas all the way

10:30am Thursday 22nd September 2011 in North Ribblesdale

C

astleford 23 North Ribblesdale 17

Ribblesdale travelled to old foes Castleford last Saturday shorn of the experience of Ryan Kirkbride, Jack Davidson, Rob Corner, and Kiwi skipper Dan Watson all socialising at different global venues.

This saw the introduction to the squad of teenagers William Davidson, Rob Hayes, Jake Nowell and Sam Allsopp.

Against an experienced and typical South Yorkshre pack, a torrid day at the coal face was expected for Ribb’s young bucks.

Castleford kicked off with a breeze at their backs, and sent the ball deep into North Ribb territory.

This set the tone for what was to follow.

Ribb tackled ferociously and drove out of defence only to be pinned back by some telling kicks From full back Craig Jeffels a highprofile recruit from nearby Wheatley Hills.

Ribb transgressed at a ruck and oustide half Martin Dye nailed the penalty from 50 metres.

This was followed by more home pressure that resulted in BARLA centre John Bramham slicing through for an impressive score for the home side.

This gave them an ominous looking lead of 10-0 with ten minutes of the first half remaining.

Ribb then enjoyed their best spell of the half and a super break by Stephen Moon followed by slick handling from centres Simon Bolland and Simon Chapman put away teenage debutant Rob Hayes for a fine unconverted score which he finished with some aplomb.

Castleford responded with another Dye penalty to lead 13-5 at the interval.

North Ribblesdale were undeterred and began brightly as they enjoyed their best half of the season so far.

Their smaller pack began to dominate both line-out and scrum ball to create panic among the home ranks. On three occasions the final try-scoring passes went to ground.

Ribb kept up the pressure and were rewarded when David Fox dived over from close range for a try. Moon missed the conversion but Ribb were back in it at 13-10.

Ribb were now pounding the home line ably led by the experienced Mick Carr and the not so experienced Harry Whittaker, Nathan Dakin and Chris Heap.

Eventually after a series of close-range scrums Ribb were awarded a penalty try as the home pack disintegrated into chaos under serious pressure.

William Davidson converted to give Ribb a slender lead of 17-16 with ten minutes remaining.

The experience of the home side paid off as they drove through the phases to pile over the Ribb line.

The try was awarded after Castleford were given the benefit of the doubt as a pile of bodies made it a difficult descision for antipodean referee Karl Walker.

Dye duly converted to get the home side off the hook.

This was Ribb’s best performance of the season thus far and will give the selectors the type of problems they will be happy to face when others are available.

Everyone played their part in what was an extremely spirited North Ribblesdale performance but special mention must go to two 17-year-old debutants Rob Hayes and Sam Allsopp.