Pirates edged out by large Ribb pack
The Python’s 2’s welcomed North Ribb 2’s to JSG for this merit table fixture. Fortress and Al had managed to get together a squad of 20 for this game, but a couple of late dropouts meant the Pirates we down to bare bones. Ben Pye and Micky Adams came in for their first appearances of the season, but the queue for the physio’s room seem larger than the queue to get into the changing rooms.
The Pirates kicked off and immediately were camped on the Ribb line. However, a Pirates pass was intercepted and their speedy back ran away to score despite a fine chase back by Nathan McKinley. 0-5. Ribb’s massive pack seemed to take offence at Josh Smith’s pink beard and started shoving the Pirates back in the scrums. The weather got worse, and the Pirates were living off scraps. Ribb scored again to make the half time score Pirates 0 Ribb 10.
The Pirates brought on Boothy and Slab and the scrums started to settle down. A Pirates back move saw Matt Audsley delay his pass and create a gap for Louis to speed through to get the Pirates on the board. 5-10. The Pirates were growing in confidence and some battering runs from Eddy and Ryan looked to be getting the Pirates back in the game. However, a ball was spilt and hacked up the field over the Pirates line. Pye picked up and put into touch, but the referee spotted a knock on and awarded Ribb a 5m scrum which they scored from. 5-15. As conditions worsened Ribb crossed twice more to make the final score Pirates 5 North Ribb 27.
Next weekend the Pirates entertain Burley 2’s at JSG.
