NORTH Ribblesdale RU club, who felt badly let down last week when Hull decided not to fulfil their Yorkshire One league game at Grove Park, citing the foot and mouth crisis as the reason for their non-appearance, have received some backing from senior league officials.

An outbreak near Driffield was offered as the specific reason for the calling off of the match, but Ribblesdale spokesman Trevor Graveson expressed concern at the circumstances surrounding the postponement.

"We have sympathy with Hull and as a Dales club, we are well aware of the huge threat posed by the disease," he said: "But we took the view that, with the nearest case some distance from us, it would be reasonable to play the game with precautions in place.

"What we cannot understand is why Hull went ahead with the previous week's game at home to Old Brodleians from Hipperholme, which is only three miles or so from a confirmed outbreak in Queensbury.

"In the light of Hull's decision and the absence of any firm guidelines from the RFU, it is difficult to see how the season's programme will be finished."

Says Northern League secretary, Leslie Bentley: "I have sent the latest RFU directive to both Ribblesdale and Hull for clarification.

"Although we have to take account of changing circumstances, I don't think the two clubs appeared to be affected.

"I can see no reason why the game shouldn't have gone ahead."

Ribblesdale are hoping to play the postponed game against Hull at Grove Park on Saturday although the Humbersiders remain reluctant to travel.

Unless there is a significant change in circumstances, however, it seems that Hull will be expected to play tomorrow on pain of having points deducted if they do not comply.

The Settle side expect to have one change to that which was due to play last weekend.

Fly-half Sean Kennedy is unavilable and his place goes to Johnny Walker, who moves infield from the wing.

That switch creates an interesting cameo, with Walker now set to face former Hull RL man Gary Pearce, who has recently moved to Haworth Park from Pocklington.

Simon Coultherd comes onto the wing for Walker.

On the broader front, Bentley is resigned to the league programme running well into May as officials try to ensure that the promotion and relegation issue is properly resolved.

At the moment, league games are due to be finished on April 14, but backlogs are developing on all fronts and with play-offs introduced for the first time this season, the format is more complex than ever.

"Obviously the situation is more difficult in Cumbria and Northumberland, but there is a feeling among clubs at all levels that they want to get the season completed if at all possible," says Bentley.