Wetherby 5

North Ribblesdale 40

NORTH Ribblesdale travelled to Wetherby for their first-ever league meeting.

Both sides were unbeaten after two weeks and so a close contest was anticipated.

Ribb started brightly and held the upper hand in the scrum and only lost momentum after losing three early line-outs.

On their first two forays into the Wetherby 22, firstly Sam Morphet picked up and dived over to open the scoring.

Then the prolific Ryan Sumner barged his way over for the second, which was converted by coach Paterson.

Things looked ominous for Wetherby as the Ribb pack took control and, after further pressure, Matthew Speres went over for a converted try to leave the interval 19-0 in Ribb's favour.

For some reason Ribb then allowed the speedy Wetherby backs back into the game when they scored a good unconverted try wide out to give them hope.

This stirred Ribb who took back control and scored three converted tries in the last 20 minutes to put the game to bed.

The first was a 60-metre effort from Tyro Omari Kaup-Samuels, who when put away by Paterson, handed off his opposite number and sped away all the way to the line.

The second was a copybook training ground line-out move ably finished off by Sumner for his brace.

Prop forward Richard Lynn then burst through a tackle and scampered 30 metres for a popular score.

All in all this was a better performance from Ribb who, although several players absent at a wedding, were in control from the off.

Ribb now top the league on points difference, and as confidence grows, and the habit of winning returns for the first time in four years things are looking up at Grove Park.

Highlights were a more cohesive pack performance, accurate line-out throwing from substitute Adam Stubbs in the second-half and increasing confidence from several young players who have come through the junior ranks.

North Ribb are looking to extend their league lead on Saturday when they entertain old friends Old Otliensians for what is almost a derby.