IT was a game of two halves when North Ribb Under-16s beat Baildon 29-19 at Grove Park on Sunday.

Ribb settled quickly into their stride as centre Callum Mathew barrelled over the line after some good handling in the backs.

Man-of-the-match prop Elliot Marklew scored a brace with two powerful runs either side of winger Flynn Wake gliding in at the corner to open a 26-point lead by half-time.

Baildon responded spiritedly, though, and drew the score back to 26-19 with some very fluid rugby before a Freddie Spensley penalty gave Ribb some breathing room to make the final score 29-19 to Ribb.

* North Ribblesdale Under-16s began their Yorkshire Plate campaign with a stylish 35-0 win away against Pocklington.

A high defensive line in the Ribb backs prevented Pocklington from getting any early rhythm, and strong run ins from centre Callum Mathew, second row and man-of-the-match Harry Mathew, and fly half Freddie Spensley added to a more opportunistic score from scrum half Will Garnett to open up a 28-0 lead at half-time.

Ribb were able to control the second half reaction from Pocklington, and prop Elliot Marklew scored the pick of the tries with an unstoppable late dash to leave the final score 35-0 to Ribb.