North Ribblesdale 38

Wensleydale 27

NORTH RIBBLESDALE won a thriller at Grove Park on Saturday, a result which was in doubt until the last ten minutes.

They took an early lead, only to be pegged back by a resilient Wensleydale, who after an early setback came into the game strongly.

Wensleydale started well. They had a big pack and used it to push Ribb back towards the clubhouse, but the Ribb midfield defence held.

A break by Ryan Sumner drove back into the Wensleydale half and Mick Thwaite kicked a penalty to put Ribb 3-0 up against the run of play.

Worse was to come for Wensleydale as Will Booth, who had a splendid game at No 8, picked up from a halfway line scrum and made 20 yards, found Sumner on his inside. He drew his man and Omari Kaup-Daniels raced over from 30 yards.

Almost from the kick-off Ribb got a penalty, which was converted by Thwaite.

It was not going all Ribb's way and Wensleydale won their share of ball. A long kick deep into the Ribb 22 produced indecision. Wensleydale stole the ball and centre Lawson dived over for a converted try.

Ribb chased hard from the kick-off, with Booth charging a kick down, John Padley took the ball on into the 22 and Andrew Thwaite drove over for a converted try after 35 minutes.

Wensleydale still battled away and the packs were evenly balanced in the scrum. Ribb had the edge in the line-out, where Booth took three of Wensleydale's throws. However, Wensleydale had the final score before half-time, when Ribb went in leading 19-17.

After the break, Wensleydale went ahead for the first time in the match when they kicked a penalty to edge ahead 20-19. Then they went further ahead with a converted try by Taylor 27-19. This was to be Wensleydale's final score.

Wensleydale cleared the kick-off back to halfway and Ribb won a line-out. A determined burst by Sumner gave space for a charge by Adam Middleton.

Ribb carried well among the forwards and forced a penalty, which Mick Thwaite put in the corner.

Ribb drove the line-out and got an attacking scrum, Mick Thwaite sold a dummy and ran in under the posts, which he converted.

The home side ran the kick-off back at Wensleydale, Kaup-Daniels made a sharp break carried on by Booth. When Sumner was tackled just short, Padley scored for a converted try to put Ribb back in the lead at 33-27.

From the kick-off, an aimless Ribb kick bounced off a defender and went out in the corner. Booth won the line-out and Andrew Thwaite forced his way over in the corner for the final score.

It was a good win and all round performance for Ribb. who collected five points. Their defence was good, the scrum solid and the the line-out superior taking five Wensleydale throws.

They did give away two soft tries due to indecisive defence but have the ability to score, so the team will continue to improve.

They face a long away trip to Doncaster this Saturday at Wheatley Hills, which is always a tough game but on this form they can get a result.