Yarnbury 29 Ribb 0

By Andrew Mills

Yarnbury got revenge on Saturday for Ribb's last season win on their all weather pitch.

Ribb were missing several first choice players but despite this the R pack played well and dominated the home eight. Normally scrum dominance gleans penalties but despite Ribb's dominance they got very little for it.

In the first ten minutes they drove the home scrum back over their own line and forced the front row to stand up, but they were not rewarded.

Yarnbury's first score was a good backs move which opened up Ribb's midfield allowing their left wing to go over for a well executed try.

Ribb came back and after some good work by the back row forced a scrum on the home twenty two the home scrum were driven back but they managed to clear their line.

This was the pattern of the game with Ribb dominating the tight and Yarnbury making large territorial gains from their well organised backline.

Despite a good supply of possession Ribb did not have the organisation to get the ball to their quick young back especially Coultherd and Bell.

Playing on an all weather pitch is a distinct advantage in moving the ball wide and Yarnbury have a good backline who exploited it to the full. They scored five tries converting two and ran out easy winners twenty nine - nil.

However there are plusses in every game. It is plain that if Ribb's backline can get the ball to Coultherd and Bell they will score tries. The problem is a lack of fluency in midfield and poor defensive alignment. These can be remedied.

The hardest part of rugby is getting the ball. Ribb can do this in both the loose and set pieces. This can be the basis for improvement.