Ribb’s revival gathering pace as Cas collapse after loss of prop (From Craven Herald)

Ribb’s revival gathering pace as Cas collapse after loss of prop

8:59pm Wednesday 21st December 2011 in North Ribblesdale

North Ribblesdale 30 Castleford 7

North Ribblesdale continued their climb up the Yorkshire Division One table with victory over a battling Castleford side who belied their lowly league position.

The visitors opened up the Ribb midfield several times, a feat not seen so far this season, but apart from a shock opening score by Jeffells converted by Mattison, they could not finish their moves..

The game was tight until the last 20 minutes when Cas lost their tighthead prop and Ribb ran in two late tries through skipper Dan Watson and Mick Carr who had another powerful game.

It could have been more but North Ribblesdale chose to run two close-range penalties from in front of the posts and failed to score on either occasion.

Putting near-certain points on the board would have made the job of securing the bonus point easier and deflated Castleford’s fighting spirit sooner.

The visitors made Ribb play towards the clubhouse in the first half and shocked them with a splendid try in the first minute.

They constructed a simple move in midfield which saw the powerful Jeffells race in from 40 metres with Mattison making light of the tricky conversion.

Ribb hit back and had most of the territory in the first half although the Cas midfield looked very dangerous on the break.

Young stand-off Will Davidson kicked two penalties and hit a post with another . The goalkicker also added the conversion after the powerful Simon Bolland scored a try after a well-worked move.

To have a 13-7 lead at half-time was welcome after the shock start, but it was by no means a secure advantage.

Thankfully the Ribb forwards confronted the challenge presented by the meaty Castleford pack and gradually gained the upperhand.

Cas’s supply of ball diminished slowly in the second half and although their midfield did wonders just living off scraps of possession, Ribb started to dominate.

Skipper Watson made several slashing breaks and Steven Moon was at his elusive best.

The injury to their tighthead prop made it difficult for Castleford in the set pieces.

The continued pressure exerted by Ribb brought tries for Carr and Watson.

Will Davidson landed the two conversions and a difficult penalty to put the seal on victory.

Ribb’s revival in recent weeks has had a number of pleasing features.

One has been the form of young loosehead Richard Lynn who has been ably supported by replacement Graham Newhouse.

Will Thwaite is a workhorsewhile Carr and Ryan Kirkbride are playing well and the backline is producing the best running rugby seen at Ribb for some time..

There are plenty of green shoots beginning to appear for a continued revival in the second half of the season.