NORTH Ribblesdale started the new year as they closed the old, continuing their run of success with a 23-10 league victory over Heath that adds impetus to what could well materialise into a serious promotion challenge.

However, if points-scoring differential comes into play, the Settle side may rue their inability to turn superiority into a great winning margin. In this game they could certainly have doubled their tally.

As it was, a belligerent second-half from the visitors, coupled with a last-gasp converted try, resulted in a respectable outcome.

In effect, Ribblesdale had the match wrapped up by half-time, shrugging off the setback of an early Mark Piper penalty with a powerful, high-tempo display that brought three superb tries.

Russ Howarth got the first, converted by Adam Whaites, following strong forward pressure, while the second came from a break by Jonathan Richards, allied to quick loose ball, excellent support play and a delightful inside pass from Ryan Kirkbride that put Gareth Evans over.

The final try also resulted from a sustained attack, with Whaites making the initial thrust before the forwards battered down Heath's defences and Richards arrived to touch down in the corner.

The Halifax side were shell-shocked and could well have conceded more, but a Whaites penalty just before the break was the only other reward for the home side's dominance to leave a 20-3 interval scoreline.

Much of the second-half was mundane compared with what had gone before.

Heath had 10 minutes of early pressure that the Settle side handled without too much trouble, but when play moved upfield, the home attacks did not have their earlier fluency and Heath's spoiling defence proved to be effective. As so often happens on cold, wet days with a heavy pitch, continuity and ball skills suffered.

Ribblesdale also conceded an avalanche of penalties in the second period and although most came when the home side were enjoying territorial supremacy, they certainly disrupted proceedings. The Grove Park men cannot afford to return to those bad habits when they are in the ascendancy.

A few decisions were debatable, but lapses in discipline could well prove fatal in tight, pressurised situations and hopefully the Dalesmen will learn their lesson.

With Heath proving a tougher nut to crack in the second-half, Ribblesdale had to settle for another Whaites penalty and the final action saw Heath centre Cameron Hadfield race in from half-way when a home attack broke down, Piper's conversion signalling the end of the game.

Despite feelings of disappointment that North Ribblesdale may have about the size of their victory, the team should be delighted with the standard of play achieved in the first-half.

Reproduction of that form will ensure that this successful run continues.

The two points gained from this win moved the Dalesmen up to fifth in the Yorkshire Two table, only three points behind second-placed Sheffield Tigers, although the South Yorkshire side do have a game in hand.

Bradford Salem and Ilkley occupy third and fourth places.