North Ribblesdale RU
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North Ribb boosted by rare try by Garth
North Ribblesdale 8 Ripon 5
North Ribbesdale and their North Yorkshire rivals amazingly managed to play some rugby in appalling conditions at Grove Park on Saturday.
In a howling gale and heavy rain that disrupted proceedings, North Ribb kicked off with the wind having lost the toss.
Ribb's Tom Davidson was narrowly wide with two early penalties and Ian Barlett made a startling outside break, only to be submerged in the quagmire of a pitch.
Willy Garth, after several years of trying, finally broke his try-scoring duck and a Davidson penalty put Ribb 8-0 up at half-time.
They could probably have kicked for position more but all in all it was a solid start.
Ripon seemed to feel that with the wind they would be in with a second half shout, but as often happens both sides played better into the elements and Ripon faded in the last quarter.
Ribb played better into the wind, holding the ball for long periods and defending tenaciously, with Davidson, Bartlett and Ben Topham looking particularly solid.
Ripon's score came after a good break by their full back, who was their best player, taking play into the Ribb 22.
Ribb won the ball and were driving forward to give Davidson space but lost the ball.
A surprised Ripon nearly put it down but managed to scramble over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Ribb's line-out started to function late in the game which allowed Ribb to keep possession and play the game in midfield.
Ribb brought on Anthony Simpson and James Ogden in the last quarter, and Ogden added some solidity to the line-out.
Jack Davidson also came on and had an impact.
Ribb were deserved winners and good performances by Ryan Kirkbride, Mick Carr and the active Nathan Dakin led to a solid display by the front five.
Some impressive scrummaging from Adam Stubbs saw them home in a match against durable and competitive opposition.
Several young players are making a first team mark and the emergence of Dakin, Simon Bolland, Tom and Jack Davidson and Graham Pettiford added to Stubbs and David Fox is one of the pluses from a disappointing season.
This Saturday Ribb face unbeaten Old Brodleians in the Yorkshire Shield and will have to be at their absolute best to prevail.
It is a big ask but is within this side's reach and it is their last chance to make up for a season where they have underachieved.
2:34pm Thursday 3rd April 2008
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