North Ribblesdale earn draw as Pontefract decline late kick at goal (From Craven Herald)

North Ribblesdale earn draw as Pontefract decline late kick at goal

11:13am Thursday 13th October 2011 in North Ribblesdale

North Ribblesdale 22 Pontefract 22

North Ribblesdale escaped with a share of the spoils after Pontefract opted to run a penalty from in front of the posts in the last minute.

If Pontefract had kicked the goal there could have been few complaints as a narrow win would have reflected their superiority in the scrum.

North Ribblesdale suffered the indignity of being pushed about and even conceded a penalty try. More work is clearly needed on concentration in the scrum and it was only in the second half that Ribb gained parity due to their superior fitness.

One of the plusses for Ribb was the goalkicking of Will Davidson. He opened his account with a penalty which was soon cancelled out by a smartly-worked try for Chris Sant.

Ribb were kept busy defending in the remainder of the first half.

Jack Davidson, Jake Nowell and Chris Heap defended well and competed fiercely for the loose ball, but it was tough for them with the scrum going backwards.

Dan Watson marshalled his midfield defence superbly and despite a plentiful supply of ball. Pontefract could not make headway.

A tactical change saw Pontefract use line-out ball to drive Ribb back.

Penalties inevitably came, and were despatched to Ribb’s five-metre line where Pontefract developed their driving maul.

Their second score came in that fashion.

Concerted pressure saw Ribb collapse a maul and twice get penalsed at a scrum before a penalty try was awarded. Nick Dykes added the conversion for a 12-3 lead.

Whatever was said at half-time seemed to work.

Ribb went on the attack and forced penalties which the immaculate boot of Davidson converted.

A penalty by Dykes left Ribbb 15-12 down, but they were at last taking the game to their opponents.

Ribb’s pack started to make their mark while Simon Bolland and Matthew Dakin made valuable yards with the possession that came their way.

By far the best ball carrier was Ryan Kirkbride. He impressed on his return from a three-week absence and his thirst for the ball rubbed off on his colleagues.

The Ribb forwards at last achieved parity in the scrums and were quicker to the loose ball.

Their backs were testing Pontefract’s defence which was resolute. In fact, the tackling and defensive work of both side was impressive.

North Ribblesdale went ahead for the first time when the tireless Mick Carr burst over from 30 metres, with Davidson adding the conversion.

In the final minutes a home win was on the cards, however Pontefract gathered themselves and drove into the 22.

Dykes slid a kick behind the Ribb defence and Fletcher gathered a difficult ball to score wide out.

Dykes made light of the difficult kick to send it arcing between the posts despite a swirling wind.

Ribb have played six matches and the signs are that they will haul themselves away from the relegation zone.

They have not picked the same team two games running and consequently they lack cohesion, but, Rob Kay’s coaching is bearing fruit.

With a little more urgency at the start they can quickly start climbing the table.