North East

Division Two

Roundhegians 43

North Ribblesdale 17

(Half-time 14-3)

Ribb pay the price for lethargy

Ribb travelled to Roundhegians with high expectations after defeating Hull in their last league match, but in a period of 30 minutes in mid-game 31 points were conceded and all thoughts of victory vanished, the North Craveners losing 43-17, writes Gavin Davidson.

The Dalesmen opened brightly with the forwards dominating all setpiece play and John Moore was to the fore in a series of drives as were Capstick and Gordon Throup. But after 20 minutes of concerted pressure their only reward was a well-struck penalty by young fly-half Kennedy.

It gradually dawned on the home forwards that after having been comprehensively outplayed for a quarter of the game they were still in it. This seemed to stir them and it was Ribb's turn to defend as all second-phase possession vanished and a complete turn-around of fortunes was witnessed by a large partisan crowd.

Ribb's last line of defence was not good enough to withstand the onslaught and two converted tries were scored in the last five minutes before half-time to leave the home side 14-3 to the good at the interval.

The second half started as the first finished with Roundhegians adding two converted tries and a penalty in a 15-minute spell of complete domination.

Ribb's problems went from bad to worse as first Coultherd and then Kennedy had to leave the field injured. Bullock came on to the left wing, Towns went to fly-half, Gordon Throup went to flanker, Mark Throup took the field to hook and Chris Wallbank filled the centre vacancy as Ribb stared into the abyss.

Their response showed how much character this side can play with and after 10 minutes of much-improved play Gemmell made a lovely break and Ellacott took it on and put the lively Wallbank away to score for the second week in succession. Towns converted and at 31-10 maybe a miracle was about to happen.

But it was not to be as a speculative kick into Ribb territory was not cleared and Roundhegians' alert winger gleefully scampered down the wing and touched down behind the posts to leave the score at 38-10.

Undeterred Ribb came back strongly again and their pressure brought a welcome touchdown for winger Simon Spensley to end a barren spell for him. It came after good rucking and support play finally opened up the home defence and gave the Ribb supporters a glimpse of what might have been but for the mid-match lethargy which let Roundhegians off the hook.

However the final nail was put in the coffin when the home side broke out of defence and scored a long-range try in the corner.

This will be a game that collectively Ribb will want to forget although Moore, Capstick and Gemmell worked tirelessly and Pawson secured lots of good possession at the front of the lineout. A combined forward effort for the full 80 minutes is needed to secure the last few points Ribb believe will guarantee their league status. And this Saturday is the ideal opportunity to put things right when they meet Hartlepool Rovers for the first ever time in league competition.

Graham Newhouse gets a league debut in the second row following his 18th birthday and impressive run in the county Colts side. Further enforced changes are Ian Bullock deputising for Gemmell at scrum-half, Sean Kennedy filling the fullback void left by a short-term injury to Gareth Evans, Stuart Towns filling the fly-half role and Saturday's second team centres Dave Bryant and Dave Morrell both being given first team debuts.

It is an interesting back line but no alternatives are available due to a catastrophic injury list of senior players.

However it is an improved performance by the pack that will hopefully lead to a home win and a move into mid-table safety.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.