NORTHALLERTON maintained their unbeaten season and cemented the top spot of Yorkshire 3 with a comprehensive 41-0 home victory over Skipton.

North suffered a blow with the late withdrawal of scrum half Jedd Bainbridge who injured himself on the Saturday morning.

It was Skipton who made the brighter start of the two teams, pressuring North with a flat line defence and giving North little time to dwell on the ball.

North weathered the storm for the first fifteen minutes before eventually finding some fluidity. Stand in scrum half Matthew Marsay took a quick tap penalty just inside the Skipton half. The ball was then passed through the back line and ended with Benjamin James scoring out wide, Sam Taylor added the conversion from an acute angle.

Three minutes later Zander Metcalfe executed a cross field kick which the Skipton winger failed to deal with, leaving Sandy Gray with an easy touchdown in the corner for an unconverted try.

Ten minutes later it was winger James’ turn to kick through for Marsay to chase up and collect. Just when it looked like Skipton had enough defenders back to cover, Marsay produced an audacious pirouette to leave the two players flat footed for a try, converted by Taylor.

Five minutes before half time Taylor scored arguably, the try of the game. Taylor collected the ball on his own 22 line, brushed off two tacklers and with the full back and winger advancing on him, cheekily chipped the ball over their heads and easily won the foot race to collect the ball and score another unconverted try in the corner.

Half time 24-0.

North took their foot off the gas slightly in the second half as conditions deteriorated with rain making the muddy pitch worse and ball handling even more difficult.

Ten minutes into the second half another quick tap penalty from Marsay put Gray into acres of space but his ageing legs gave up two yards short of the line, fortunately Simon Manthorpe was first on the scene to collect the ball and go over for an unconverted try.

Ten minutes later and out of the blue, fly half Metcalfe got his deserved try, spotting a gap in midfield and then jinking past two players to score under the post and then adding the simple conversion himself.

Five minutes from time, North concluded the scoring when they implemented their well known catch and drive from a lineout for Phil Swall to touch down in the corner.

Final score 41-0.

Man of the match was awarded to Rob Green who just edged out Marsay for the award.

Next week Northallerton firsts are away at Harrogate Pythons with a 3pm kick off.

Northallerton second team travelled away to play top of the Merit league Billingham but returned on the wrong side of a 32-10 scoreline.

Billingham showed they are worthy league leaders and produced some well drilled and high quality rugby matched at times by some resolute North defending.

Norths tries came from Andy Ryder and Chad Kenney.

Next week Northallerton second team are at home to Bishop Auckland in the next round of the cup, kick off at 3pm.

Please find photo of Paul Dixon leading the first team out on his 53rd birthday in front of the supporting junior section.

And man of the match Rob Green stealing another opposition ball