Knottingley 26 North Ribblesdale 17

North Ribblesdale travelled to face their relegation-threatened opponents with seven regulars absent for various reasons.

However after last week’s rousing victory over Ilkley, an air of optimism was prevalent in the squad.

Ribb began with a breeze at their backs but it was the home side that applied early pressure and in an impressive opening quarter scored two tries from scrum half Paul Rocket and centre Michael Ash, both converted by stand off Michael Piper.

Stephen Moon replied with a penalty to leave Ribb trailing 14-3.

Following a period of building pressure through good work from forwards Adam Stubbs, Jake Nowell and skipper Michael Carr, Chris Heap was put clear and he made no mistake scoring near the posts for his seasonal opener.

David Fox kicked the conversion in the absence of Moon who had been yellow carded for giving his opinion.

At 14-10 Ribb were back in it and stepped up a gear with both Simon Bolland and Matt Speres impressing as a centre duo.

With Ribb looking to get some width on the ball, the Knottingley centre Ash intercepted on halfway and Ribb were staring down the barrel at 21-10 with the last quarter beckoning.

Back they came with good runs from Ben Mitchell, Haydn Viles and the forthright Speres who made ground with every touch, Centre Bolland scythed through on an unstoppable run to the posts for a try which Moon converted.

Ribb were just 21-17 down with five minutes when they had a penalty award reversed due to ill discipline .

From the ensuing kick to touch Knottingley’s well-drilled forwards got a rolling maul going and second row Richard Healy scored near the corner.

With the conversion