North Ribblesdale 0 Cleckheaton 9

DESPITE a tremendous effort against the Yorkshire One leaders, North Ribblesdale remain pointless, anchored at the foot of the table, although that bare statistic is a harsh judgement on the side, especially after their contribution to this hard-fought game.

Cleckheaton deserved their success, being slightly sharper and more street-wise than the Grove Park men, although neither side created a try-scoring opportunity as two secure defences held sway.

The home side's most impressive period came in the first quarter when they established themselves in the visitors half and good possession from lineout and scrum enabled fly-half John Walker to prompt his back-row to run at the opposition.

However, powerful surges by Michael Carr and Ryan McBride were dealt with and the only chance of points went begging when Jonathan Richards pushed a penalty narrowly wide.

Cleckheaton defended well and the pack experience of ex-Rotherham first-teamers Sam Coy, Julian Brooksbank and Craig West and their midfield trio of former RL stars John Bentley, Phil Veivers and Graham Steadman helped to create an impenetrable defence.

Ribblesdale, however, were equally mean and the visitors needed a penalty from wingman Alex Green to break the impasse.

The home side responded with some good work by half-backs Walker and Neil Gemmell, whose shrewd kicking forced the visitors onto the back-foot, but the pressure they created went unrewarded.

In the second-half, Cleckheaton started positively and only a sterling defensive effort by the Ribblesdale defence kept them at bay.

Even then they were forced to concede another penalty and Green eased the visitors further ahead.

This score was especially frustrating for the home side, who appeared to have weathered the storm.

Boosted by their success, the visitors then kept the grip on proceedings and Ribblesdale were generally forced onto the back-foot, leaving Green to seal their fate with his third successful kick.

Ribblesdale managed another final onslaught in a desperate effort to rescue the situation, but the red-and-white defence held firm and a turn-over signalled victory for the visitors.

The Grove Park men are left with nothing to show from four league games, but they earned tremendous credit from a performance in which their effort never faltered.

In defence, there was scarcely a missed tackle from anyone, although attacking options were limited. The general consensus was that the side would play worse and win.