Ribb deliver knock-out blow to seasiders

2:20pm Thursday 17th January 2008

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North Ribblesdale 19 Scarborough 17

Ribblesdale played to their considerable potential for the first time this season to progress in the Yorkshire Shield at the expense of a very good Scarborough side.

On a wet pitch Tom Davidson kicked four penalties and converted Mick Carr's fine individual try. Davidson also hit the angle between the bar and the upright from five yards into his own half.

This win was no fluke. Jonathan Richards was hauled down a yard from the line after a counter attack from deep in Ribb's half and John Hughes was held up over the line in the first minute.

Scarborough, whose substantial southern hemisphere contingent played a massive part in one of the most entertaining games seen at Grove Park for some time, threatened all the game.

They wiped out Davidson's first penalty with a sweeping move which, but for a Simon Bolland cover tackle, would have scored on the left and resulted in the stand-off kicking crossfield for prop Downes to amble over for a converted try.

Ribb roared back and took play well into the visitors' half for Davidson to score with a 30 yard penalty.

Further pressure from Ribb gave Davidson another opportunity and he kicked another penalty to give Ribb a narrow half-time lead.

Despite the home scoring being penalties Ribb were looking more than competent in the backline.

Simon Bolland was impressive throughout putting in crunching tackles and powerful on the ball and Ian Bartlett's pace and invention on the wing gave Ribb extra options.

Richards and Ben Topham were threatening in the centre and Simon Chapman was impressively solid in defence. The scrum was solid against a bigger side and the line-out operated well despite giving several inches away.

The second-half was as turbulent as the first with Scarborough taking the lead with a well- taken converted try off a flat ball by centre Viljoen who was a threat all day.

Ribb were not dispirited and came back with a further penalty by Davidson which was wiped out by a Scarborough penalty by Mullen.

Ribb produced the best move of the match Chapman collecting a deep kick, making ground and handing on to Bartlett.

The ball came to Richards via Topham and Kirkbide Richards losing the ball to a fine was tackle on the line. A try would have been a more fitting end to a 70 yard move.

Further Ribb pressure forced a turnover by Nathan Dakin who had another fine game. John Hughes fed Carr who shrugged aside the first tackle and ran through a second to go over next to the posts, Davidson's conversion being a formality.

Ribb piled on the pressure, Topham in one searing burst got away and Bolland had another good run but Scarborough's defence just held. Davidson kicked his fourth penalty for off-side and hit the woodwork from a monster effort from his own half.

The final minutes saw Scarborough make a last effort. A penalty put them in the Ribb 22, they rucked and drove three times to get Viljoen in reach of the posts and it looked ominous for Ribb's two point lead.

The drop kick slipped past the post to give Ribb a memorable victory.

This should not distract Ribb from their league position where they need at least six points to be safe but the team on Saturday looked confident and with the injection of youth from Dakin, Davidson and not least Bolland they will surprise sides with their invention.