Northallerton first team suffered a depressing and lacklustre defeat at home to low lying North Ribblesdale by a score of 3-11.
Ribblesdale who were without an away win this season, belittled their league position with a controlled and calculated game plan.
North were very rarely in the game as the visitors enjoyed long periods of possession with their svelte player coach controlling the game from the fly half spot.
Ribbs gave notification of there intentions from off pinning North back into their own 22. North failed to clear their own lines effectively and gifted the visitors an easy penalty inside ten minutes. Somehow the Ribbs kicker missed the upright giving North an early escape. However, Norths problems were then compounded by a serious looking knee injury to back Matthew Clark who had to be taken to hospital to be checked over.
It took North nearly thirty minutes before they eventually had a foray into the Ribbs 22 only to have their attack easily snuffed out by the visiting defence.
Three minutes before half time, Ribblesdale took a deserved lead through a straightforward penalty in front of the posts which this time sailed over.
Just before the break North were awarded a penalty themselves straight in front of the posts, but opted for the scrum, which they then proceeded to lose and go in at the break three points to nil down.
Ten minutes into the second half North rested their tiring forward Jonny Baker for experienced prop Paul Dixon, and in the first scrum, Dicko claimed to have won the penalty which was converted by Ashley Rio.
A few minutes later North earned another penalty out wide, Rio this time just missed the uprights to leave the scores tied.
Midway through the second half the visitors again exerted more pressure before eventually going over for an unconverted try in the corner.
Five minutes later Matthew Marsay was penalised when he tried to pick up a loose ball up three times - and knocked on three times!!!! However, soon after, Marsay made up for this when he produced a spectacular break from inside his own half before chasing up his grubber kick. Marsay appeared to have won the foot race to the ball but was adjudged by the official to have knocked on over the line.
With less than ten minutes on the clock the visitors scored another penalty to seal their deserved victory. 3-11.
Northallerton need to up their game and get back to winning ways asap before they are dragged into a relegation battle.
Norths man of the match was awarded to scrum half Joe Bird who just edged out Paul Dixon.
Next week North travel to Old Grovians for what will be another extremely tough encounter and could do with as much travelling support as possible. Kick off at 2.15pm.

Northallerton second team followed up last weeks victory with a win at home to Redcar Mariners by a score of 36-22.
Norths scorers were Sandy Gray, Chris Anderson, Iain Dunn, Simon Warren, Doug Mulholland and a penalty try awarded by the effervescent and extremely proficient referee Sir Clive Pointon DCM - Don’t Come Monday.
Brian Tucker added two out of four conversions before handing over kicking duties to Mulholland who missed his only kick - which was slap bang in front of the posts.
Norths man of the match was awarded to Simon Warren.
Next week North seconds are at home again to Richmond seconds with a 2.15pm kick off.

Thank you
H Johnson