YORKSHIRE TWO

North Ribblesdale 18

Wath Upon Dearne 18

ALTHOUGH North Ribblesdale were hoping to reverse recent form and get back to winning ways, an 18-18 draw meant they had to share the spoils with promotion seeking Wath on Saturday.

Wath kicked off and the boys in Blue were straight on the offensive, probing for an early score.

Michael Thwaite, filling the scrum half shirt, and Kiwi Nathan Harding, playing at stand off, orchestrated things early on and Wath gave a penalty away that Thwaite narrowly missed from 45 metres.

From the resulting drop out, Ribb spun the ball left and right and after strong runs from the influential Fromm Reimana, helped by straight running from centre pairing Ryan Sumner and Jonny Moore an overlap was created on the left wing and speedy Tom Frik scooted over for an excellent try, converted by Thwaite.

Further indiscretions by Wath resulted in a penalty for Ribb, who were in control after 15 minutes at 10-0.

Further penalties were exchanged and then just before half-time Wath scored by the posts after a rumble up the middle.

Then needless backchat from Ribb conceded ten metres and the reliable Tonks levelled at 13-13 half time.

In the second half, a resolute defence and excellent tackling by Adam Middleton and Will Booth kept Wath at bay.

Ribb were penned in their 22 but showing adventure, Harding chipped the on-rushing Wath defence and Omari Kaup-Samuels gathered at pace, beat his man and then won the 60 metre dash to score a very impressive try.

After a penalty chance came and went, Wath stormed back up and wily old scrum half Bartlett put powerful centre Zgoda in for an unconverted try to level the scores.

The last five minutes belonged to Ribb, but they missed a penalty with the last kick of the game.

Ribb will hope to get the season back on track at table topping Goole this Saturday.