Match Report

Ribblesdale saw of a feisty first half challenge from Kirkby who were unlucky to lose their fly- half and flanker in the period before half time and then ran away from a tiring opposition in the second half .The scoring was led by Tom Davidson who gave a faultless display of goal kicking converting all five tries and kicking two penalties including one monster from the halfway line.

Ribb's challenge was dominated by their cohort of seventeen year olds ; Jack Davidson ruling the middle of the line -out and the loose ball with an invigorated Nathan Dakin whose recent accident with his knife and fork seems healed .Simon Bolland unfortunately came off injured , but was a handful on the wing .

Ribb struggled to impose themselves in the first fifteen minutes into a strong breeze , but started to win second phase ball , allowing Davidson to put Ben Topham into space which he exploited with gusto , if the final pass was not forthcoming Ribb's back row were quick to the rescue .Kirkby played a running game which although to their credit was not tactically wise and they refused chances to put Ribb into their own half and paid the price being level at half time .

Two Davidson penalties and an opening try by Simon Chapman whose running from deep caused defensive problems all day, opened the second half .Graeme Pettiford bustled over after a strong run , Captain Kirkbride got his customary try , Chapman another and the best effort was by Jonathan Richards ,who was full of menace , steaming over from forty yards.

This was a good game and Kirkby though well beaten were full of fight and suffered from the loss of their two best players in the first half.

Ribb now have a challenging period if they are to salvage anything from a disappointing season in which for various reasons they have seriously underachieved .Fitness is one obvious reason . There are a talented crop of young players at Ribb and some established players need to look at their approach to preparation.

Saturdays challenge from Ripon followed by the Shield game against unbeaten Brodlieans will need a committed approach , promoted Skipton away will be another challenge to round the league season off .