Pre-season friendly: North Ribblesdale 0 Wharfedale Foresters 43

WHARFEDALE Foresters, who had already beaten Bradford Salem – league rivals of North Ribbesdale – at The Avenue, took plenty of positives from this eagerly-awaited derby as they improved on their previous outing.

The margin could have been greater were it not for some show-boating on the part of the visitors, who took 22 players to Grove Park in a battle of understrength squads.

The Foresters used all of their players, which led to a more disjointed performance, but the coaches had plenty of information to process for the harder tasks ahead.

However, North Ribb seemed to miss their absentees more than the visitors, whose fitness gave them the edge after a stalemate over the opening 15 minutes, when both sides made amateurish errors as they tried to gain the upper hand.

The Greens finally started to find some cohesion and, after a good kick to touch by Tom Davidson, the backs obtained possession, Mark Simpson finishing the move off for Robbie Davidson, who kicked well throughout, converting.

Another good handling move from the Foresters backs again sent in Simpson, Robbie Davidson converting brilliantly from the touchline to make it 14-0.

The forward battle was well matched but the visitors exerted pressure to give the backs more possession, Simon Crabtree scoring for an interval tally of 19-0 as the hosts showed signs of wilting.

The opening phase of the second half matched the first half for sloppiness but the showboating ended when line-out ace Tom Whyte scampered over for a try which Robbie Davidson improved.

Replacement Matt Close's try stretched the margin to 31-0, and further tries came from Ben Parkinson (in the corner after a powerful Crabtree break) and Simpson, who thus completed his hat-trick, replacement Will Davidson adding the conversion this time.

But while the final scoreline reflected the visitors' superiority, North Ribb will be much more formidable opponents come the return fixture on Boxing Day.

Jake Parkinson had another solid game for the Foresters, Whyte is returning to his best form, Robbie Davidson was swift and decisive in addition to his excellent kicking, and it was good to see returning players, such as Simon Borrill, Joe Metcalfe, Rhys Davies, Sam Smith, Tom Wareing, Jack Kitching and Tom Davidson, having a good run-out.

Young scrum half Will Lawn is also progressing well, and coaches John Metcalfe, David Whitfield and Robbie Burnett, who are doing an excellent job, now have the task of building a disciplined, cohesive squad to match Foresters sides of the past.

The building blocks are certainly in place and the Foresters and their coaches are looking forward to the start of the league season.

Wharfedale Foresters: Tom Jackson, Jake Parkinson, James Huck, Simon Borrill, Emils Balodis, Joe Metcalfe, Tom Whyte (captain), Matt Hall, Will Lawn, Tom Davidson,Sam Mason, Mark Simpson, Simon Crabtree, Ben Parkinson, Robbie Davidson. Replacements: Matt Close, Tom Wareing, Rhys Davies, Sam Smith, Jack Kitching, Archie Hancock, Will Davidson.