REPORT BY: GAVIN DAVIDSON

IN a huge top of the table clash, an under pressure North Ribblesdale eventually vanquished a very strong Pocklington side at Grove Park on Saturday.

In front of a bumper crowd, an epic encounter unfolded, the result of which was in the balance right until the final whistle.

Ribb lost the toss and had to play to their beloved balcony in the first half. Honours were even in the first skirmishes with the hosts getting more of the ball but not looking as fluid as in recent games, and a couple of unenforced errors meant that momentum was lost.

Pock were very competitive and after 15 minutes found a gap in the home side’s defence, with winger John Jackson racing clear for a try converted by scrum-half Rob Boddy.

Ribb came back into the game and coach Tom Davidson put them in attacking territory after a pinpoint penalty kick from halfway to the corner.

The hosts set up the catch and drive and Hooker Matt Speres sneaked over in the corner after some strong forward work. Davidson levelled with a touchline conversion.

The game see sawed back and forth with Ribb continuing to give ground through poor ball retention, and Pocklington struck just before the interval when a cross-field kick found young centre Luke Sangwin in space and he scampered over to give the visitors a tense 12-7 interval lead.

Playing away from the balcony it looked an uphill battle for Ribb, but sleeves were rolled up and after absorbing ten minutes of early pressure, the hosts started to turn the screws on their rivals.

After several thrusts at the line the returning Adam Middleton was driven over for a converted try to give the home side a precarious 14-12 lead.

They kept the pressure on through astute tactical play and much better ball retention and eventually scored again through young man of the match Elliott Marklew who was unstoppable from five metres. With the conversion missed, Ribb were 19 -12 ahead going into the last ten minutes.

Pock swarmed back and exerted intense pressure on the Ribb line through a succession of five metre line outs and scrums but, to a man, Ribb’s defence stood firm under much adversity and amidst the darkening gloom regained possession, put the ball in touch and eventually claimed a famous victory against the best side to visit Grove Park in the past two years.

The players were out on their feet at the full-time whistle in a game that was a credit to all concerned. Once again it would be wrong to single out any individuals, but flanker John Padley as well as Adam Middleton and Marklew put in astute shifts for the home team.

This win sees Ribb go four points clear with a game in hand at the top, but with several potential banana skins to come nothing is being taken for granted.

A tough fixture at Wath Upon Dearne awaits Ribb this weekend, a side who are notoriously hard to beat at their stronghold.

However, in their current form the side from Settle will have full confidence going into any fixture.