Sat 27 Jan 2024
North Ribblesdale stretched their winning league run to nine on the trot as they overcame resolute opposition who were eventually run off their feet by Ribbs attacking style of play.
Ribb started brightly and were unlucky to be adjudged held up over the line twice in the first ten minutes, firstly lively lock Harry Mathew and then impressive colleague Oliver Drew both came within millimetres of scoring. From a rare foray into Ribb territory Laund Hill kicked a penalty to take a flattering lead. Honours between the forwards were pretty even but Ribbs young guns in the backs had the upper hand making many yards from Callum Mathew, Simon Bolland and wing speedsters Ralph Wellock and Michael Robinson. It was however the forwards who scored the first two tries with skipper Alex Dew being mauled over and then teenager Drew getting a touchdown converted by Tom Davidson. This gave the home side a 12 - 3 interval lead.
Playing towards their beloved balcony Ribb started the brighter in the second half and it wasnt long before they extended their lead. First winger Ralph Wellock beat his man chipped the full back and then won the race for the touchdown to extend Ribbs lead for an excellent try. Huddersfields pack were beginning to wane under incessant Ribb pressure and next to score was Front row dynamo Elliot Marklew who finished off a fine move under the posts converted by Tom Davidson. The next try was an absolute beauty. A sweeping back move initiated by John Davidson was simply too hot for the visiting backs and the prolific young speedster Ben Coultherd hit the line at full tilt and scored another converted try. Huddersfield were visibly wilting and after a fine performance teenager flanker Oliver Drew got his second in the closing stages.
Debutant Sam Smith from Wharfedale made a good impression in the back row as did Ralph Wellock on the wing who seems to be settling into Ribbs style of play and looks very dangerous when he gets the ball.
This was an impressive performance, with, maybe a further three tries left out on the field that would not have flattered this exciting young Ribblesdale side.
