REPORT BY: GAVIN DAVIDSON

IN front of a bumper crowd North Ribblesdale continued their winning streak with an emphatic nine-try romp against an abrasive Wensleydale side, who simply could not match Ribb's pace and ball transferring skills.

Wensleydale started in the ascendency and after some solid pressure Metcalfe kicked a penalty to give them a 3-0 lead.

Ribb then struck twice in quick succession first through the mercurial Ben Coultherd and then a fine finish from centre Callum Mathew, with a single conversion from Tom Davidson.

The visitors pressed hard and from a close range scrum drove Ribb backwards and scored a penalty try which resulted in a yellow card for home prop Jim Mallilieu-Black, and the game seemed to be in the balance.

Undeterred, the hosts took the game by the scruff of the neck and whilst down to 14, scored two converted tries through the powerful Elliot Marklew and another gem from Coultherd both converted by Davidson to give a commanding 26-10 lead.

A mazy run from youngster Callum Mathew leaving five hapless tacklers in his wake and scoring under the posts for a converted try gave Ribb an interval lead of 33-10.

The visitors stuck manfully to their task but could not find a way through Ribb's solid defence, and every time the hosts had the ball a try was a distinct possibility. Further tries were scored by Alex Dew, Jacob Monaghan, Matthew Speres and a popular debut try for hard working second row Connor Stubbs, three of which were converted by Davidson to give a final emphatic scoreline of 59-10.

This was North Ribblesdale's 27th consecutive league victory and despite some looming difficult fixtures against Beverley and Pocklington, the mood in the camp is one of confidence. They are playing a very exciting brand of rugby that is great to watch and is vindicated by the ever increasing crowds.