Wath 29 North Ribblesdale 20

Wath Topple League Leaders

Wath 29 -20

Wath started strongly and forced a kickable penalty after just 2 minutes against League leaders, North Ribblesdale. Jack Whitlam made no mistake and Wath were ahead 3-0. The youthful, well drilled opponents fought back immediately. The Wath defence struggled to cope with the pace and width of the team from Settle. One too many tackles was missed and Northern Ribblesdale scored a try under the posts following great support play. The conversion gave the away team a 3-7 lead.

More impressive, attacking play had Wath on the back foot and, on 10 minutes, Ribblesdale extended their lead to 3-10 as Wath conceded a penalty on 10 minutes.

The home team regathered their composure and their larger, more physical forwards were able to starve their opponents of the ball on which they had thrived. As Wath controlled the game better, they were able to expand their game and the backs began to become more involved in the attacks.

Increasing Wath pressure resulted in two more kickable penalties and Jack Whitlam’s trusty left boot closed the score to a one point deficit: 9-10. Following the second of these scores, Wath were penalised from the restart. North Ribblesdale kicked the penalty to give them a 9-13 advantage.

Wath were still dominating possession and a blind side break by Joe Bartlett from scrum half put the increasingly influential Luke Stead in some space. He drew in several defenders before giving supporting runner, Andy Hopkin, the chance to race for the line. The try, just before half time, followed by the successful Whitlam conversion, allowed Wath to retake the lead; 16-13 at the break.

The second half began with Wath maintaining the majority of possession. A yellow card to North Ribblesdale and a quick tap penalty by prop James McCarthy (oxymoron), gave Luke Stead the space to dive over the try line wide on the right. Whitlam’s most difficult conversion was successful and the home supporters showed their appreciation as Wath had extended their lead to 23- 13.

Despite North Ribblesdale’s attempts to open up the game, they were in the stranglehold of the bigger, more experienced Wath forwards led by the efforts of Joe Earp and Matt Burrows. Two more successful penalties by stand off, Whitlam, edged Wath clearer to a score of 29-13.

On 65 minutes the referee reduced both sides to 14 men with yellow cards. This had little effect on the game, but the away team did continue to play an expansive game. This was rewarded with the last play of the game as their winger found space to run in a try. The conversion meant the game ended 29-20.

Whitlam’s 7 from 7 display was immaculate and kept Wath in the game when under pressure and then continually gave Wath the reward for the pressure they created.

This entertaining and competitive top of the table clash was enjoyed by a good crowd with a healthy sized contingent having made the long trip from the Yorkshire Dales.

Steve Corns