DESPITE what, by the team’s expectancy, was a below par performance, North Ribb were in the ascendency in most aspects of play as they sealed a 49-26 victory over Old Leodiensians on Saturday.

They scored seven converted tries to earn another bonus point win and keep them six points clear at the top of the league.

On a still afternoon both teams probed early on, but it was Ribb that struck first after good back play saw youngster Callum Mathew surge through a gap to score the opener.

This was shortly followed by u a second try from the effervescent flanker John Padley. Leos scored a well worked converted try from Callum Platts but further scores from Mathew for his second and the unstoppable Elliott Marklew gave Ribb a handsome interval lead of 28-7.

Leos to their credit stayed in the game and scored further tries through Sam Rees, Lewis Adams and Charlie Chick two of which were converted by Joe Ramsden, but this Ribb team know how to win, even on a bad day and further tries from debutant George Martin, the prolific Ralph Wellock and a usual contribution from Ben Coultherd meant that Ribb comfortably took the spoils.

It is a measure of this team’s expectations that scoring 49 points in a league game was considered to be a below par performance.

Hennie Van Rensburg, Tom Davidson and debutant George Martin were the standout backs with John Padley, Conor Stubbs, Jim Mallilieu-Black and Matthew Speres all putting hard shifts in the forwards

Undoubtedly stronger challenges lie ahead but the Ribb resurgence continues with their 25th consecutive win and this weekend sees two teams travel to Old Rishworthians for what is hoped will be another victory.