Kirkby Lonsdale 7

North Ribblesdale 84

(Half-time 0-41)

North Ribblesdale: Evans; Spensley, Richards, Kennedy, Hughes; Towns, Gemmell; Thwaite, Throup (capt), Heal, Capstick, Pawson (Boatwright 52), Carr, Wallbank, Kirkbride (Harrison 77).

Ribb rattle up record win

Kirby Lonsdale 7 North Ribblesdale 84

The Dalesmen made the short trip north to meet neighbours Kirkby Lonsdale in a friendly fixture and rattled up 13 tries to achieve a record Ribb first team victory, writes Trevor Graveson.

Kirkby play their rugby in North West Two - an equivalent level to Ribb - and are currently challenging for promotion, although one saw little evidence of their potential in this encounter.

The home supporters would be quick to point out that their side was not at full strength, but it must also be mentioned that there were a couple of absentees from Ribb's line-up and the Dalesmen included five teenagers.

Indeed the confidence of youth was well evident in the dazzling rugby that Ribb produced, with handling and support play that were first class. But that flair came from a sound base with the pack concentrating on the basics - a powerful scrummage, clean-out possession and exemplary rucking and loose play.

Defence was also involved. Indeed in the opening exchanges Kirkby enjoyed both territorial advantage and possession, but Ribb's tackling was firm although they were fortunate to escape when a ball went loose on the try line. However Kirkby failed to capitalise and when Ribb turned up the power the home side were blown away as the Dalesmen rattled up 34 points between the 10 and 20-minute marks.

The opening score came when after three powerful scrums close to Kirkby's line Gemmell and Evans sent Spensley crashing over. Kennedy converted from wide out and shortly after added a penalty before making an elusive run to breach the home defence with Kirkbride continuing the move and giving a deft pass to Evans who went over. Again Kennedy converted and Ribb were 17-0 up.

Capstick's possession off the top of the lineout set up the next try as the ball was spun left, quickly rucked and moved back right for Evans to register his second try.

Then a storming series of forward drives decimated Kirkby's defenders and Evans put Kirkbride away for another fine try. Ribb could not be halted now and a bewildering bout of handling resulted in a second try for Spensley which Kennedy converted to make it 34-0.

Things then calmed down a little, but yet another score came before the break when Wallbank sent Evans clear and a try for Kennedy was the result, with the youngster tagging on the conversion to bring the half-time tally to 41. When the game resumed the scoreboard was soon rattling round again with Kennedy once more involved, his lengthy run setting up the position which saw skipper Gordon Throup claim a try. Next there was a classic score with Gemmell and Evans running ball from their own line for the impressive Richards to finish in style and add the conversion. Virtually straight away the visitors struck again through Towns with Richards converting, followed by a deserved try for the tireless Carr, and a shell-shocked home team found themselves 65-0 down. But Kirkby then registered a score of their own which only succeeded in annoying Throup who made it clear to Ribb that they must not let the standard of play drop. And they did not, Gemmell's perfect double dummy sending Evans hurtling through under the posts, Kennedy converting. Then pupil, Kirkbride, did the spadework for the master, Gemmell, to finish and register another try for the Giggleswick connection, Gemmell converting himself. Finally a solo effort from Towns brought Ribb's try count to 13 and the scoreboard which by now had a cricket look about it ground to a halt as Wallbank's conversion attempt bounced towards the posts.

This was virtually a faultless display with every player contributing and one which will no doubt live in the memory of players and spectators alike. This Saturday though it is back to league action for the final North East Two game at Cleckheaton, a side who have had much the upper hand over Ribb in recent seasons, but Ribb are certainly on a roll at the moment so it could be an entertaining and interesting encounter.

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