A MUCH-changed North Ribblesdale won 34-17 at Leeds Corinthians on Saturday.

Ribb travelled to Leeds to play a team level on points with them in Counties Two Yorkshire and having only lost one home game this season a much-changed Ribb travelled not knowing what to expect.

On a heavy pitch, Michael Thwaite opened the scoring with a penalty before the home side responded likewise and then scored a converted try to give the Corinthians a 10-3 lead after 20 minutes.

Ribb's pack were in charge at scrum time with Matty Close to the fore. From a close range scrum, Ribb drove their larger opponents over the line for number 8 Will Thwaite to get the equalising score drawing the visitors level at half-time.

Despite having to defend manfully at times Ribb's second half display was emphatic. The excellent full back Ben Coultherd finished off a well-worked try.

From a defensive scrum in their 22, the returning livewire scrum half Jack Mcleod broke down the blindside, passed to Liam Wallbank on the wing who evaded a tackle and passed to the supporting Coultherd who crossed the whitewash.

Corinthians came back to level at 17 all but Ribb's dominance up front eventually told with a penalty pushover try and a late score from impressive lock Adam Middleton and a Michael Thwaite penalty secured a bonus point win.

Several players made their mark, not least scrum half Mcleod playing his first game after breaking two ribs and in the centre Connor Kinnane made several telling incursions.

Ribb are improving every week and this much-changed side beat the Corinthians for only the second time this season and move up to fifth in the league.

This week sees high-flying Wensleydale travel to Grove Park and head coach Andrew Davidson will have a selection headache as almost half a team will be available again.