NORTH Ribblesdale prevailed in an open game against previously second placed Yarnbury.

After a disastrous first ten minutes when the visitors scored two converted tries through an unusually porous midfield, Ribb had much work to do but then set about their work.

Without their talismanic prop Matty Close, his stand in Richard Lynn gave his opponent a torrid time at the scrum from the get-go.

From this platform of attack, new signing Fijian Nelson Dailailomaloma, making his return to the club two years after playing in the very successful colts’ team, danced over from 30 metres.

Before the interval another teenager Harrison Mathew barged over from close range, as did skipper Alex Dew with Tom Davidson adding the extras to leave Ribb trailing 24 - 21 at the interval after another try and a penalty from the visitors.

Playing towards the clubhouse is always a bonus for Ribb and in the second half in front of a bumper crowd, the Ribb pack prevailed in all phases of play. A well taken converted try from young hooker Elliott Marklew after several phases of quick passing, was much appreciated by the watching Leigh Leopards’ chairman Mike Latham.

Tom Davidson struck two more penalties to give the hosts an unassailable 34 - 24 lead.

This was until the last moment of a seemingly extended second half, when Yarnbury winger Hodgson raced clear for his second try to give the visitors two losing bonus points, as the hosts held on for a 34-31 victory.

Other results mean that Ribb move up to fourth in the league but another win this Saturday at home to Roundhegians will see them close in on the table’s summit and cement their promotion aspirations.