West Leeds 18, North Ribblesdale 19

It’s a no brainer – do you want to turn excellent set-piece possesion into a turgid pick and go with an extremely eccentric referee and a less than 50 per cent chance of keeping it or do you want your half-backs to float it on the stiff breeze into the home 22.

This posed huge intellectual difficulties to the Ribb pack in this Yorkshire Division Two clash.

The result was a 19-7 lead, achieved mainly against the wind, was reduced to a desperate scramble to hold on to a one-point lead with the most incisive backline Ribb have turned out for several years being starved of ball.

The hardy perennial of playing in your own half and seeing how many penalties the opposition can kick was thoroughly explored.

However, despite the tactical errors, this was a very good win against tenacious opponents. Ribb showed the strength of the pack and the potential of their backs.

They started with Ryan Kirkbride commanding the kick-off and, although under some initial pressure, they gave Jonny Moimoi his first pass.

The result was startling acceleration, and a crisp hand-off put him through two defenders and clear to the full back, who desperately clung on.

The defence reorganised and paid Moimoi close attention, only just coping. Every time he got the ball, despite the attention, he made ground.

Ribb have other decisive runners and their consequent freedom allowed Ben Topham to break and feed Simon Bolland, who was hauled down after making 20 yards. The excellent Davidson, taking a home line-out, made space for Moon to break through the middle, with desperate defence keeping Spensley out.

Ribb won the line-out but a blindside move was intercepted with a hint of a knock-on and home winger Thompson raced 80 yards to score.

Ribb came back. The kick off was cleared into the home half, Dugdale won the line-out and Moimoi made some hard yards. Ruck ball came left and Spensley burst into the line with a clear overlap.

The winger stayed with Bolland so Spensley cut inside to feed Chapman, who handed on to Moon, a dummy making space for him to get over.

From the kick-off, Kirkbride made another charge, Moon missed Moimoi and Topham made a good break. Spensley appeared outside Metcalfe and was hauled down just short.

The defensive line was won and the ball cleared. Dugdale secured the line-out and the rolling maul, organised by Kirkbride, gave him the try, Moon converting.

Ribb were well worth their half-time lead and, with the wind at their backs, Thwaite gained a ball against the head.

Davidson picked up and went blind, making 40 yards before drawing the full back and putting Fox in.

Moon converted from wide out and then it all went wrong.

Ribb were soon back on the home line and the huffing and puffing started. With a fine disregard for the concept of teamwork, a succession of forwards picked and drove, and after they failed to score another one tried, each taking a rest after his turn.

Soon there was no-one to win the ball and the opportunity was lost. Buoyed by their defence, West Leeds made ground into the Ribb half. Ribb won ball on the ten-yard line but why give it to the half-backs when you can have a huff and puff and make a yard – after all, Moon can only kick it 50 with the wind.

Inevitably Ribb gave away a penalty, duly converted. West secured the kick-off and got into Ribb’s half.

Again the forwards won the ball, took it too far and lost it – another penalty, plus a sin-bin for Chapman.

Ribb were now looking ragged but held on to win. Maybe a spell in the second team will crystallise some minds.