NORTH Ribblesdale went back to the summit of Yorkshire Two with a hard-earned win at the ever-improving Bramley.

The visitors started brightly and following a searing break from Ben Coultherd, he put Ralph Wellock away who finished with aplomb for a converted try.

Undeterred Bramley then scored a similar try through winger Hutchinson with Caine unable to add the extras. Wellock then scored his second after good work from Callum Mathew for a carbon copy of the first. Tom Davidson adding the extras.

Bramley then enjoyed their best spell putting Ribb under pressure and after being penalised three times in ten minutes, home fullback Caine slotted three penalties to level the scores 14 - 14 at the interval.

The away side scored first through the direct running of Ryan Sumner following good work from Sam Smith, Elliot Marklew and Harry Mathew. Then Bramley struck back with a converted to try from Winger Picton to level again.

However, the men from Settle surged back and after several phases of interplay skipper Alex Dew scored a well worked try. Again, Tom Davidson adding his fourth conversion.

This gave Ribb their bonus point, but they weren’t finished there, with coach Tom Davidson scoring an opportune try to extend Ribbs’ lead to 33-21 and a seemingly convincing win.

Bramley had other ideas and stormed back and centre Stirk finished off a fine move with Caine again adding the extras to give Ribb a scare with only three minutes remaining.

The visitors coolly managed out the game to claim their five points and go top on points difference- with a 33-28 victory.

Pick of the forwards were Sam Smith, Harry Mathew and Matty Close in the tight with young Callum Mathew looking assured in the centre, but Ben Coultherd put in a man of the match performance.

With five games remaining, sixteen more points will guarantee promotion, but it is the Champions slot that has been the aim all season. That is in Ribbs’ own hands and the next instalment is at home this week to basement side Leeds Corinthians.