North Ribblesdale stretched their winning league run to nine games on the trot in Counties Two Yorkshire by thumping visitors Huddersfield Laund Hill 36-3 on Saturday.

The hosts overcame resolute opposition from their West Yorkshire rivals, who were eventually run off their feet by Ribb’s attacking style of play.

And the win means the Settle outfit keep up the pressure on leaders Wath Upon Dearne, sitting four points off top spot with a game in hand, in what is proving to be an absorbing title race.

Ribb started brightly on Saturday and were unlucky to be adjudged held up over the line twice in the first 10 minutes.

Firstly lively lock Harry Mathew and then impressive colleague Oliver Drew both came within millimetres of scoring.

From a rare foray into Ribb territory, Laund Hill kicked a penalty through the posts to take a perhaps flattering lead.

Honours between the forwards were pretty even but Ribb’s young guns in the backs had the upper hand.

Callum Mathew, Simon Bolland and wing speedsters Ralph Wellock and Michael Robinson were all making several yards, yet it was the forwards who scored the first two tries.

Sipper Alex Dew was mauled over and then teenager Drew touched down, with the latter effort converted by Tom Davidson to give the hosts a 12-3 lead at the interval.

Ribb started the brighter in the second half and it wasn’t long before they extended their lead.

First winger Wellock beat his man, chipped the full back, and then won the race for the touchdown to extend his side’s lead with an excellent try.

Huddersfield’s pack were beginning to wane under incessant Ribb pressure and next to score was front row dynamo Elliot Marklew, who finished off a fine move under the posts, with that effort converted by Tom Davidson.

The next try was an absolute beauty, as a sweeping back move initiated by John Davidson was simply too hot for the visiting backs to handle and it allowed prolific young speedster Ben Coultherd hit the line at full tilt and scored another converted try.

Huddersfield were visibly wilting and after a fine performance, young flanker Drew got his second score in the closing stages to round off the scoring.

Debutant Sam Smith from Wharfedale made a good impression in the back row, as did fellow new boy Wellock on the wing.

The latter seems to be settling into Ribb’s style of play and looks very dangerous when he gets the ball.

This was an impressive performance, with maybe a further three tries left out on the field, and that would not have flattered this exciting young Ribblesdale side.

This Saturday sees the long trek to the Nottingham border to take on a struggling Dinnington side, with Ribb knowing they could go top with a win combined with a Wath defeat at lowly Hemsworth.

The North Ribblesdale team coach leaves the clubhouse on Saturday morning at 10am for anyone wishing to travel with the side down to the game.