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Jon Dillon scores a try for Skipton.

Skipton 11 North Ribblesdale 7

This was rugby at its best.

The ingredients were all there; the first meeting at Sandylands between these two local teams for many years, triumphant Skipton playing their only game at home since achieving promotion for the second successive year, Ribb keen to gain local pride and the last league game of the season for both teams.

The large crowd got full value in an exciting game in which the result was uncertain until the final whistle. There were no individual stars as every player gave his all in an effort to be in the winning team.

Skipton got stuck in right from the first whistle and for the first 15 minutes were camped in Ribb's half. As expected, it was a mighty battle all day in the forwards but honours were even and the renowned Ribb front row including seasoned campaigner John Thwaite had all on to hold back Skipton's surges fronted by Crossman, Sheehan and Binner. Time and time again, Red's flanker Moa Meki broke free to gain ground and an early Skipton score seemed inevitable albeit elusive.

Eventually a long kick forward saw Ribb break clear and it was now them who had the upper hand and as they camped on the Skipton line they looked certain to score. Just as Ribb's defence had been awesome in the opening stages, Skipton's defence was now superb and Ribb got nothing for their effort.

Play now switched back to Ribb's half of the field and towards the end of the first half Skipton were getting in the driving seat. Two excellent penalty kicks by Brydon Maiava put the Reds 6-0 ahead.

There was also real drama when Skipton winger Jon Dillon suddenly streaked down the touchline, evaded several defenders and appeared to score a superb individual try. Both the referee and the touchjudge had been surprised by this fast breakaway and had been left behind. After consultation the referee disallowed the try stating cornerflag infringement. So, only 6-0 at half-time rather than 11-0.

The second half replicated the first with 30 men on the field all striving for their team to win. Time and time again one team seemed to be gaining the upper hand only to be thwarted by mighty defence work by the other and then the favours would switch the other way.

Skipton's Brydon Maiava stops a North Ribblesdale player in his tracks.

Then Skipton grabbed a real opportunity. The quick thinking half back pair of Adam Oldfield and Sean Kennedy saw a chance and a flick pass saw Jon Dillon streak to the line again. He was dangerously near the corner flag again, but it was sweet justice for him that his second try was this time awarded. Skipton were now 11-0 ahead.

Backwards and forwards play went. Forwards matching each other man to man and both sets of backs looking potent but unable to evade the other's defence.

Then a slip up brought Ribb back into the game. A long range clearance kick carried on the wind took them back deep into the Skipton half and in a rare defensive error the ball was fumbled. Ribb players were suddenly there in abundance and Stuart Evans, who had only just come on from the subs bench, crashed over for a try right under the posts which Jonathan Richards then easily converted. Although somewhat against the run of play, the game was now wide open again.

With a scoreline of 11-7, Ribb knew one try would do it for them. For the final ten minutes Ribb threw everything at Skipton, the crowd were on their feet giving encouragement to both teams, but the Reds gave everything back in impregnable defence and the final whistle gave them a famous victory as a fitting end to a wonderful season.

The home supporters went home with "a feel good factor" and the Skipton team is now full of anticipation for their new life in Division 1 at Sandylands next season.

10:13am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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