North Ribblesdale RU
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Skipton edge Ribb in pulsating derby
North Ribblesdale 5 Skipton 8
Skipton gave their promotion hopes a boost when they came away with a narrow victory in a pulsating derby match against North Ribblesdale at Grove Park on Saturday.
Skipton scored a try and a penalty to Ribb's unconverted try with the deciding factor being an uncharacteristic goal-kicking off day by Ribb's Jonathan Richards who missed three kicks, one under the posts.
Skipton's front five were given a severe mauling in the scrum, line-outs were even and the midfield contest was inconclusive. Ribb's scrum supremacy allowed them to dominate territory for long periods but a very stubborn defence by Skipton gave them a narrow vic-tory.
The pitch was heavy after overnight rain and gusty showery weather made open rugby difficult, but not impossible.
Ribb kicked off into the wind playing away from the clubhouse. The kick was not gathered and Howarth and Ryan Kirkbride made ground into the Skipton half and were awarded a scrum. The home supporters were silenced when the Skipton scrum pushed Ribb back. This was the last time in the match the Ribb scrum did not dominate, although for a period at the start of the first half Skipton gave stern resistance.
The Ribb pack deserved to be on the winning side, but Skipton with limited possession scored a try by speedy winger Alex Naylor in the second half and powerful centre Brydon Maiava did kick a long-range penalty in the first half.
In a game dominated by midfield defence, kicking for position was crucial. Ribb's kicking game in the first half was at times poor giving Skipton's full back Lee Battle the opportunity to drive Ribb deep into their own half with booming kicks.
Ribb belatedly realised the error and started to drive from the base of the scrum pushing Ribb to the Skipton line. A scrum on the five metre line looked certain to produce a score as Skipton was pushed back, but a loss of control at the base saw the ball squirt away al-lowing Skipton to clear.
Skipton regrouped and took play into Ribb's half. Ribb transgressed, handling the ball in the ruck and allowed Skipton's Maiava to kick for goal from forty metres. This seemed optimistic even with the wind. However he converted with a kick that didn't rise much above the crossbar but still sailed over.
Ribb had a couple more first half chances notably Chapman releasing debutant 17-year-old winger Simon Bolland who showed good pace to round two players only being stopped by the covering Boatwright.
When the half-time whistle sounded, at 3-0 down with the wind at their backs in the second half things looked promising for the home side.
Skipton moved prop Moa Meki, who had taken a severe mauling, to number eight bringing on Malcolm Willsher at prop. This stiffened the Skipton scrum and for a while they achieved parity and the tactically aware Adam Oldfield and his back row came into the game with Michael Snowdon and Meki prominent.
Stand off Ian Bartlett kicked Ribb into the Skipton 22, where the home side forced Skipton to touch and drove from the line-out. They wrecked Skipton's defensive scrum and drove them back with their put-in Skipton's front five collapsed the scrum but the referee, who had a very good game, was having none of it and gave Ribb a penalty.
Ribb opted for goal which Richards narrowly missed. Ribb still pressed and further pressure brought two more penalties, one under the posts but both were missed.
Skipto had Matthew Boatwright sin-binned for a line-out offence but even against seven men Ribb could not get over the line.
Then Skipton put some possession together and moved the ball left putting in Naylor for an unconverted try.
This galvanised the Ribb pack who had had their quietest spell and they repeatedly drove Skipton back scoring a try by David Fox from a rolling maul.
The missed conversion was immaterial as Ribb needed three points for the win and from the kick-off they attacked again but the Skipton defence was equal to the task and despite a final surge which took them to Skipton's line they could not get over.
This was a pulsating local derby played very hard but in good spirit. Although Ribb played well enough to win Skipton took the points and scored a good try against the run of play which proved to be crucial.
For Ribb the whole of the pack were tremendous, Dakin had a good defensive game and Fox and Simon Chapman were very sound. Bolland had an impressive debut and will figure in the team for a long time.
9:35am Monday 3rd December 2007
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CommentPosted by: Leppy09srufc, Newcastle on 2:27pm Mon 3 Dec 07
Skipton just showing their quality, it takes a good team to grind out a win, especially against local rivals. Thats what seperates Promotion contenders from mid table opponents.
Skipton just showing their quality, it takes a good team to grind out a win, especially against local rivals. Thats what seperates Promotion contenders from mid table opponents.
Posted by: Leppy09srufc on 2:29pm Mon 3 Dec 07
oh and isn't it normally the winning side that hands in the match report?
oh and isn't it normally the winning side that hands in the match report?
Posted by: Kris_Leeds, Leeds on 10:12pm Tue 4 Dec 07
Indeed it was a good game.
Skipton however can't scrum for toffee despite the self proclaimed bilge printed in last weeks Herald fawning over how strong they are.
Only more than one occasion the Skipton front row came up, with no penalties being given for this, twice on the Skipton line.
I still had 3 minutes on my watch, but then again, im not the referee. Equally the decision to give Skipton a scrum with Ribb going forward in the last play was bizarre.
It's amazing how Skipton haven't lost more games as they looked extemely mediocre.
One thing is for sure, should Skipton get promotion, its without doubt that they will ne straight back down as Yorks 1 side will murder them, the better players (lets face it, 2 of the 3 Kiwis kept them in it) will leave and they will be back in Yorks 3 quicker than you can say 'Sandylands needs a lottery grant'.
Thanks to the Skipton players though for disappearing straight after the game and not staying in the clubhouse for more than 15-20 minutes, thats classy and allegedly reminiscient of the Ripon game.
Here's hoping you'll be back at Ribb for the friendlies that you've cried off from over the last 4-5 years.
Indeed it was a good game.
Skipton however can't scrum for toffee despite the self proclaimed bilge printed in last weeks Herald fawning over how strong they are.
Only more than one occasion the Skipton front row came up, with no penalties being given for this, twice on the Skipton line.
I still had 3 minutes on my watch, but then again, im not the referee. Equally the decision to give Skipton a scrum with Ribb going forward in the last play was bizarre.
It's amazing how Skipton haven't lost more games as they looked extemely mediocre.
One thing is for sure, should Skipton get promotion, its without doubt that they will ne straight back down as Yorks 1 side will murder them, the better players (lets face it, 2 of the 3 Kiwis kept them in it) will leave and they will be back in Yorks 3 quicker than you can say 'Sandylands needs a lottery grant'.
Thanks to the Skipton players though for disappearing straight after the game and not staying in the clubhouse for more than 15-20 minutes, thats classy and allegedly reminiscient of the Ripon game.
Here's hoping you'll be back at Ribb for the friendlies that you've cried off from over the last 4-5 years.
Posted by: Alex Naylor, skipton on 10:29am Wed 5 Dec 07
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me, which is a bit childish because it was a good game and as the report mentions was played in good spirits. As for leaving the club early myself and several other players enjoyed atleast 3 pints with some of the ribb lads! witnessing both man of the match and birthday drinks.
Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me, which is a bit childish because it was a good game and as the report mentions was played in good spirits. As for leaving the club early myself and several other players enjoyed atleast 3 pints with some of the ribb lads! witnessing both man of the match and birthday drinks.
Posted by: Kris_Leeds, Leeds on 8:37pm Thu 6 Dec 07
Hmm....not convinced, i suppose this season and next will see.
Im not denying it was a good game, just perhaps a few too many scrum infringements missed.
Must say Skipton did better than i thought they would, especially having to play that prop at scrum-half.
Hope your proper scrum-half is injury free soon.
Hmm....not convinced, i suppose this season and next will see.
Im not denying it was a good game, just perhaps a few too many scrum infringements missed.
Must say Skipton did better than i thought they would, especially having to play that prop at scrum-half.
Hope your proper scrum-half is injury free soon.
Posted by: Chris, Skipton on 2:38pm Fri 7 Dec 07
I find these comments from Kris of Leeds very dissapointing and, yes undoubtedly sour grapes. Many North Ribb supporters accepted that their try should not have been awarded as the ball was dropped. Many Skipton players stopped in the clubhouse until well after many Ribb players, I know, I was there until after 7pm. I can understand Ribb being dissapointed - they had a large percentage of possession and position without turning it into points - but you can't blame the Ref or Skipton if you miss 3 simple kicks at goal.
If you can't handle losing then maybe you should stop in Leeds and watch a bit of telly. The vast majority of Ribb players and supporters handled the dissapointment of losing well and the hospitality offered, as ever, was fantastic. As for resorting to puerile personal insults against individual players - please just grow up.
I find these comments from Kris of Leeds very dissapointing and, yes undoubtedly sour grapes. Many North Ribb supporters accepted that their try should not have been awarded as the ball was dropped. Many Skipton players stopped in the clubhouse until well after many Ribb players, I know, I was there until after 7pm. I can understand Ribb being dissapointed - they had a large percentage of possession and position without turning it into points - but you can't blame the Ref or Skipton if you miss 3 simple kicks at goal.
If you can't handle losing then maybe you should stop in Leeds and watch a bit of telly. The vast majority of Ribb players and supporters handled the dissapointment of losing well and the hospitality offered, as ever, was fantastic. As for resorting to puerile personal insults against individual players - please just grow up.
Posted by: Kris_Leeds, Leeds Vegas on 12:21pm Sat 8 Dec 07
Yeah i might just do that, telly sounds good. I was going to watch Skipton in the cup today, but unbelieveably they've been knocked out, can you believe THAT?!
Anyway, with any luck, in a few years time, i'll be able to watch Skipton vs Leicester in the Premiership on SKY Sports, eh?
Clearly Chris of Skipton as had a sense of humour bypass.
Nevermind, the show must go on.
Yeah i might just do that, telly sounds good. I was going to watch Skipton in the cup today, but unbelieveably they've been knocked out, can you believe THAT?!
Anyway, with any luck, in a few years time, i'll be able to watch Skipton vs Leicester in the Premiership on SKY Sports, eh?
Clearly Chris of Skipton as had a sense of humour bypass.
Nevermind, the show must go on.
Posted by: Chris, Skipton on 8:01pm Sat 8 Dec 07
Dear me Kris - you should have gone down.
You would have seen The Reds beat Malton & Norton 30 - 10 in the Yorkshire Shield.
Strange that, they are in Yorkshire 1, and as we all know "Yorkshire 1 sides will murder them"
Unfortunately Ribb were narrowly beaten in the EDF vase - which is a shame as I would have liked to see them get to Twickers again.
Dear me Kris - you should have gone down.
You would have seen The Reds beat Malton & Norton 30 - 10 in the Yorkshire Shield.
Strange that, they are in Yorkshire 1, and as we all know "Yorkshire 1 sides will murder them"
Unfortunately Ribb were narrowly beaten in the EDF vase - which is a shame as I would have liked to see them get to Twickers again.
Posted by: Kris_Leeds, Leeds on 11:06am Mon 10 Dec 07
Yeah, M&N are going great guns huh? Losing 41-0 to Selby last week...hardly reflective of Yorks 1 sides...lets not forget a lot of sides put a 2nd team out for the Yorkshire comps.
I'd have love to have gone and watched the Skipton Kiwis, but i had some paint i had to watch dry at home, next time maybe.
Yeah, M&N are going great guns huh? Losing 41-0 to Selby last week...hardly reflective of Yorks 1 sides...lets not forget a lot of sides put a 2nd team out for the Yorkshire comps.
I'd have love to have gone and watched the Skipton Kiwis, but i had some paint i had to watch dry at home, next time maybe.
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