SECOND XV RUGBY MATCH REPORT

NORTH YORKSHIRE CUP

NORTH RIBBLESDALE A 17 SKIPTON A 0

The North Yorkshire A team cup-holders showed exactly why they hold that title in the first round of this year’s competition. The game was switched to Giggleswick due to Skipton’s pitch being waterlogged. The pitch didn’t help but again both sides tried to play running rugby. Playing into the wind and up the slope, Skipton were pinned on or about their 22 for the entire half. Their only real attacking weapon being driving line-outs. These worked well, but never threatened. Their defence was only breached once, when Gordon Throup took another quick tapped penalty to release Johnny Walker to power in from five yards out. Half-time 5-0 to Ribb.

The defensive duties must have taken more out of them than Skipton thought. Ribb were again the better side in the second half, with a superb scything run at great pace from Pat Illingworth and a well-worked passage of play to put Johnny Walker in for his second try being the two scores of the half.

Ribb are in the division above Skipton and have lost only once all season. It’s easy to see why –

their cohesion and work ethic along with great skill is admirable. Skipton should take heart. If they can keep this side together the good times will return.

Positives – skipper Matty Wilson led from the front: tackling, running, driving his side on from start to finish. The front row had a good day. Big tackles, plenty of powerful running and pinching ball against the head from John Firth, Dave Mitton and Stuart Harling were a feature. Scrum-half Jon Kulik mixed the play up well and kept his forwards going. Matt Boatwright and Calum Cameron ruled the line-outs. Hamish Munro directed his defence from full-back and put in some booming clearance kicks. More time together and they will soon see the benefits.

Team

15 Hamish Munro 14 Matthew Cox 13 Steve Marks

12 James Wade 11 John Hughes 10 Brian Brocksom

9 Jon Kulik 8 Paddy Murray 7 Calum Cameron

6 Matty Wilson 5 Matt Boatwright 4 Brad Bates

3 Stuart Harling 2 Dave Mitton 1 John Firth

Subs

Gordon Fisher Carl Watts Peter Dutton (unused)