North Ribblesdale visited The Jim Saynor Ground and were quickly into their game showing why they lead the league with maximum points. Promoted from Yorkshire 2 last season, with a solid player base their line speed in both defence and attack was impressive.
They scored 3 early tries out wide with their fly half kicking all the conversions to lead after 15 minutes 0-21. But, The Pythons got into their routine, set the phases and started to apply pressure on The Ribb line. Under pressure the away team started giving away penalties at the breakdown. A turn over on the away 22 and the winger sprints down the line to score against the run of play, 0-28 half time.
The second half opened with some promising play from the home team. George Booth, Hugh Tatlow and Luke Korba were all instrumental carrying the ball towards the Ribb line. A penalty at the breakdown halts the Pythons’ progress and quickly Ribb take the score to 0-47. The game ended with the home team threatening the line but some sound defence kept them out.
After the game Coach MacKay said, “ This was a true test for the Pythons on Saturday playing the unbeaten league leaders North Ribblesdale. They quickly showed why with a display of skill and control for the full 80 mins which we have not encountered before. However I was extremely pleased with the way the side battled to the end, our heads did not drop and had this been last year the score might well have been double. There are times when you have to applaud the opposition but at the same time a real gutsy performance by our boys.”
Ben Pryor won The Whittaker’s Gin man of the match presented by Commercial Chair Peter Jesper and PDS MD Andy Taylor.
