North Ribblesdale kicking themselves after hitting rock bottom (From Craven Herald)

Niorth Ribblesdale kicking themselves after hitting rock bottom

11:02am Thursday 20th October 2011 in North Ribblesdale

Huddersfield YMCA 40 North Ribblesdale 24

North Ribblesdale plunged to the bottom of the table after another disappointing defeat, Rivals Huddersfield YMCA had been propping up the division before Saturday, but their win saw them leap-frog the home team.

Ribb could hardly have made a worst start as they conceded a try within 20 seconds.

Ribblesdale could not gather a high ball which came at the back three out of a blinding low sun.

Whitehead snatched the bouncing ball before running under the post for a try which Barber converted.

It should have been a lesson for Ribb but when they had the sun and wind at their backs in the second half they did not use the elements to force their opponents back into their own 22.

It is doubtful that if they had played for another 40 minutes that they would have grasped the concept.

The first half was a free-scoring affair with North Ribblesdale’s Will Davidson kicking a penalty to bring the score back to 7-3.

Huddersfield kept the home side penned in their own 22 and extended their lead when Whitehead broke through to score his second try with Barber again converting.

North Ribblesdale responded with a try by Mick Carr after a fine break from winger Simon Bolland, but Davidson missed the conversion.

Huddersfield secured possession from the kick off and a long kick took them deep into home territory.

A couple of drives and a clean break through in midfield saw Whitehead go in under the posts to complete his hat-trick with Barber converting for a 21-8 lead.

Huddersfield rounded off the first-half scoring with a further try by Shaw which Barber converted.

Given the conditions the 28-8 deficit did not look insurmountable and Ribb had a good start after the break with a try by Jack Davidson being converted by Will Davidson.

Bolland then scored a try with an elusive run which took him under the posts and gave Davidson an easy conversion which he landed to reduce Huddersfield’s lead to six points.

At this point there was visible consternation in the Hudderfield ranks.

Ribb didn’t help their cause by failing to grasp what was necessary.

They chose to play an expansive game in their half rather than putting boot to ball and establishing territorial advantage.

Huddersfield were relieved not to be facing an aerial bombardment and wrapped up their first league win with two tries from counter attacks. Both were scored by the aptly named Swift.

Ribblesdale will not win many games showing this dort of tactical ineptitude.

It was obvious what was required. Ribb needed to use the wind to put the ball behind the opposition, with the sun making it difficult for them to see.

Instead the midfield’s self-indulgent play meant that the Ribb pack, who were visibly better than their opponents, spent the afternoon watching hard-earned ball being squnderer.

There were some plusses for Ribb. Shane Holmes looked elusive on the ball and 18-year-old Sam Alsopp put in a spirited performance on the wing.

Ryan Kirkbride was his forceful self as was Carr, and Jack Davidson battled all day but flawed decision making meant their work was unrewarded.