NORTH Ribblesdale finally vanquished a strong Ripon side on Saturday to take the league title in a thrilling game that had it all.
The visitors came from behind three times to overcome an obdurate and skilful Ripon.
The home side scored first with a penalty from out half Thompson, but Ribb winger Simon Bolland then broke away to finish off a smart move and force his way over. The conversion was missed but hardly surprising given the gale force conditions.
Thompson then put Ripon back in the lead with another penalty but the away side were playing all the rugby, with both forwards and backs combining well. Diminutive scrum half Jack Hutchinson nipped through the narrowest of gaps to get Ribbs' second touch down. This time converted by Tom Davidson.
Another penalty for Ripon left the score at 12-9 to Ribb at the interval.
The home side's backs came alive after half-time with flying Fijian Sovatabua being a constant threat. Both Bolland and Ben Coultherd had to make try saving tackles and Ribb held firm until Sovatabua finally got over for a converted try and a 16-12 lead.
The Ribb supporters remained tense but needn’t have worried. Hutchinson chipped the ball over the defence and his blistering pace saw him scorching past three would be defenders one of whom pulled him over in a football style foul. A penalty try was awarded and Ribb were not to relinquish their hard earned lead.
As the game was drawing to a close, Ribbs' forwards battered away at the try line until Elliott Marklew proved unstoppable from close range to put the icing on the cake to seal a 26-16 victory
This was a humdinger of a game that demonstrated all that is good in local sport. In front of a bumper crowd, the scenes after the final whistle will long be remembered.
It would be unfair to praise any individual’s as every single Ribb player played as if their lives depended on victory and after winning the last sixteen games consecutively nobody could argue they are the best team in the league. Next season they will be in Yorkshire One which will be a challenge this fine young side will relish.
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