Bradford & Bingley 31 North Ribblesdale 0

NORTH RIBBLESDALE can consider themselves unfortunate to have drawn a blank against the Yorkshire One leaders at Wagon Lane.

It meant there was no tangible reward for the efforts of their lightweight pack and their excellent half back Steve Moon.

The Ribb forwards certainly posed problems for their hosts in the scrum after their side had conceded two early tries to go 12-0 down.

Late in the first half they forced two scrum penalties and were rumbling towards the line when the ball squirted out the side of the scrum and was cleared.

Bees hacked the ball downfield ,Ribb's full back was in the line and it was kicked on again before being scrambled into touch.

The Bees won the the line-out and moved the ball right for Masi Akauola to score near the post with Nortier converting.

One minute Ribb were pressing for a try the next they were 19-0 down. Five minutes later, a blind side break put winger Sutcliffe over for an unconverted try to stretch the lead to 24-0. .

Soon after, Moon made a break out of his own half which put Johnny Moore away, but he was dragged down just short of the line.

Bradford and Bingley have big forwards who are comfortable on the ball. They also have effective backs who are well guided by stand off Gerhard Nortier.

Ribb knew they were in for a tough test and the wet weather and soggy pitch just added to their task.

The whole team defended well, but Moon was the only player to pose a real threat. Losing David Fox at half-time and having to move Andrew Thwaite to the wing, did not help.

The first score from winger Tom Booth came from a simple overlap.

Another try followed quickly from Taylor Fiddes who showed a good turn of pace to get round the defence with Nortier converting.

Ribb had the advantage of the wind in the second half and generally made good use of it to keep Bees penned in their own half .

Defences dominated as the conditions worsened. Ribb could not break through and the Bees also made little headway.

In the final five minutes the Bees scored the only points of the half when Gore scored a try which Nortier converted.

Ribb played with spirit and defended well. Tom Marshall, on his debut, looked a good player off the bench and Michael Thwaite did a good job at scrum half when Fox retired.