NORTH Ribblesdale made the long journey down to Hull and played their part in a thrilling encounter in an end to end game, going down eventually 45-32.

Hullensians opened the scoring with a penalty early on and soon after went further ahead with a well worked move, in which their pacy winger,Langford, finished under the post for a converted try.

From the Kick off, debutant Alex Dew made inroads into the home twenty 22, but good defence turned the the ball over and quick ball saw Hull break clear but a great tackle by Ben Coultherd averted the danger, however a quick ball was moved at pace and a converted try made the score 17-0.

Ribb started to get front foot ball and Ben Michell broke through in the centre only to be stopped short of the home 22 but from the results ruck the excellent Tom Maudsley burst clear and good handling put Liam Wallbank in at the corner. With Half time approaching a missed tackle resulted in a converted try for Hull by stand off Firbank which he also converted to put the half time score 24-5.

Ribb came out in the second half and they quickly added a penalty, from the kick off a good break caused chaos in the home ranks and fine handling put skipper Andy Thwaite over for a try 24-15.

A fortuitous bounce from the restart dropped into the midriff of a Hull player and he wrong footed the visitors defence and broke clear to score unopposed under the posts.

Ribb drove forward and several attacks we repulsed and lost possession after being held up over the line, the drop out from under the posts saw hesitancy in the defence and the alert wing Ben Stutely nipped in to score which was a little harsh on the visitors.

The best passage of play saw Ribb lay siege to the home line and impressive Ben Coultherd broke the line and was only halted by a high tackle which a penalty try was rightly awarded 38-22. The visitors now were full of confidence and a fine backs move was finished in the corner by Ben Coultherd 38-27. It was now all Ribblesdale and only desperate home defence manage put no 8 John Marshall into touch inches from the home line.

Hull got good field position and a good blindside break caught Ribb napping and home no 8 Conroy scored under the posts to increase the score to 45-27, Ribb stormed forward from the kick off and fast hands put Winger Wallbank in for his 2nd try 45-32.

This was the end of the scoring in this pulsating contest which saw 11 tries and some great attacking Rugby from both sides.

After last weeks heavy loss, Ribb produced their best performance of the season, especially in the second half.

Ben Coultherd was the away side's man of the match, chosen by the Hullensians team,just edging out Tom Maudsley who also had an outstanding game.           REPORT BY: DUNCAN BROWN