NORTH Ribblesdale ended their league season with an emphatic victory over fifth placed Ripon.

In very wet conditions both teams, to their credit, attempted to play open rugby, and the conditions seemed to suit the home side (North Ribblesdale) to a tee.

Ribb started brightly and after exerting pressure on the away side’s defence, they wilted and allowed skipper Andy Thwaite to touchdown. Brother Michael adding the extras.

Ripon’s young side responded by spreading the ball from side to side and number ten Thompson struck a penalty before going over for a converted try, which gave the visitors a narrow lead 10 – 7 lead.

The next 20 minutes belonged to Ribb and after more pressure from the pack, prominent hooker Adam Stubbs side stepped his way over from fifteen metres out and impressive centre Will Davidson scorched home to touchdown. Pinpoint place kicking from Micky Thwaite converted both and added a penalty to give Ribb a comfortable interval lead of 24 - 10.

Playing towards the vociferous balcony is always a plus for Ribb and they carried on where they left off with dangerous fullback Ben Coultherd scything through the narrowest of gaps to touchdown under the posts. He was denied a second by the referee as were two other efforts. Micky Thwaite concluded the scoring with two further penalties, while Nick Perez scored a late consolation for Ripon to leave the final result at 37 – 15 in favour of the hosts.

It was a fantastic ending to a long and tiresome campaign for North Ribblesdale with the ever present Adam Middleton and centre Will Davidson once again showing their class.

Overall, it was a mixed season the Skipton side but there is certainly plenty of optimism ahead of next season, which will see the club celebrate their centenary year.