North Ribblesdale

Following a week of rain Wath had the unenviable task of travelling to Settle, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The highly motivated Ribblesdale side buoyed by a partisan, vociferous crowd tore into their opponents from the whistle. They were rewarded with an early penalty and took a 3-0 lead.
Continuing to maintain their enthusiasm N.R. forced Wath on to the back foot and increased their lead to 6-0 with another penalty, after 20 minutes. Eventually the home side’s pressure paid dividends and the crossed Wath’s line to score a converted try on the half hour, to increase their advantage to 13-0.
Wath continued to battle hard and with their efforts they were able to get into N.R. territory and No.8, Joe Earp scored a try just before half time. The missed conversion made the score 13-5.
As the whistle for the start of the second half sounded a storm of biblical proportions arrived and the Wath players were forced to play all of the half with a howling gale, containing sleet, into their faces.
Despite constant pressure near their own line Wath’s defence, led manfully by the herculean efforts of Tony Kenney refused to buckle and the home side could only add a single penalty kick to add to their score. As players, coaches and supporters, cold and drenched to the skin , left the field, the defeat of 16-9 was disappointing, but facing a well – coached side , in atrocious second half conditions all the Wath players showed remarkable determination and were a credit to their shirt. In the midst of the storm Ollie Winstanley made his debut for Wath. Surely a day he will not forget.
Man of Steel was awarded to back row Tony Kenney for his fantastic defensive performance.
Steve
Pres.