NORTH RIBBLESDALE 10 OTLIENSIANS 7

OTLIENSIANS had to make a late change with prop Peter Bonner having flu and being replaced by Matthew Payne for the journey to Settle. Further complications arose when hooker Paddy Wilkinson was delayed on the journey and was not there for the start.

Coach Roy Aldridge volunteered to take his place. Wilkinson arrived after 20 minutes.

The game was very untidy, almost totally lacking in efficient control and at times both teams and spectators were mystified by some of the decisions but it was obvious in the early stages that North Ribblesdale's full-back had plenty of pace and was a good footballer to go with it.

He opened the scoring with an unconverted try. Otliensians replied before half-time with a try by Peter Gillson which David Smith converted for a two point lead.

This was the situation at half-time. and in the second-half a similar pattern ensued with very little open or cohesive play.

North Ribblesdale took the lead when their full-back came into the line and put the winger over. Again there was no conversion.

Otliensians threw everything into attack and when North Ribblesdale tried to clear their line with kicks down field David Smith collected and repaid with interest as he had an outstanding game.

Despite spending most of the period in the Ribblesdale half Otliensians were unable to penetrate a solid defence and with the game evenly poised it seemed strange that the referee should blow up five minutes before full time to conclude what had been a most scrappy affair.

Otliensians A 17

York RI 7

This was a closely contested and competitive game with both sides prepared to throw the ball about and there was plenty of interest.

The early stages were spent almost entirely in the York half but it was the visitors who took the lead with an interception on half-way. They scored under the posts and the simple conversion gave them a seven point lead. This reverse spurred the home side who came immediately back onto the attack to level with an excellent back row try by Simon Dykes who was supporting a break by Mark Sellars. Graham Dobson converted to level the scores.

This situation continued until half-time. The keen, competitive exchanges continued in the second-half but with the home side having the benefit of the pressure it was obvious that unless things went sadly wrong that they would be in command. They took the lead with a try by winger Graham Dobson, who having being put in possession on half-way by full-back Adrian Fawell, chipped over the defence and booted the loose ball on soccer style to outpace the cover and score. The same player just shaved the upright with the conversion attempt into the strong wind.

Continuing in control the lead was further increased with a breakaway try from scrum-half Tim Swann. Again there was no conversion but the home side finished playing the game in York territory and were in no danger of conceding a score.

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