Ribb's graft and resolve sees them win at Northallerton

North Ribblesdale 11

NORTH Ribblesdale grafted hard to come away from Northallerton with a tight victory in a Yorkshire Two encounter on Saturday.

Ribb travelled to Northallerton knowing that they had to start winning or be in real relegation trouble.

Missed tackles have cost them dearly this year, but on Saturday there was a resolve throughout that eventually saw them win on the road for the first time this season.

Ribb started playing uphill into a breeze but soon got on the attack with John Padley, Matty Close and the evergreen Michael Carr all going close.

After a period of pressure, Michael Thwaite missed a kickable penalty but made amends soon after to give Ribb a slender lead.

Coach Carl Paterson was influential in his first start this season, as he controlled the ball and kept the pressure on with tactical kicking.

The first half petered out with Ribb still in the ascendency but unable to break down a resolute home defence.

Northallerton equalised after Ribb transgressed at the breakdown and then came the score that just might kickstart Ribb's season.

Padley broke through and was well supported by Adam Stubbs, Adam Middleton and Andrew Thwaite before Chris Lambert crashed over from 15 metres for an unconverted try.

This gave Ribb a big boost and they came back for more, only for Omari Kaup-Samuels to be denied after a dazzling touchline run and Ryan Sumner, almost bulldozing his way over, fell just inches short.

Further pressure gave Thwaite another penalty kick to complete the scoring and a morale boosting win.

The whole side played with passion but the stand-out player was Padley, relishing being back in the forwards and making a telling contribution.

The next two games are against the sides currently in the relegation zone and these may shape Ribb's season, but if they play with the resolve shown on Saturday and keep tackling, they should start to climb the table, beginning with the visit of Barnsley to Grove Park this Saturday.