THE CLASH of two in-form Yorkshire One sides resulted in an emphatic victory for Selby, who took a decisive hold on the game in the first quarter. During that period they moved into a 14-point lead and although the Dalesmen responded and achieved parity for a while, a further ten points in the closing minutes producing a scoreline which reflected harshly on the visitors.

Selby had certainly done their homework and learnt a good deal from their visit to Settle in December, when Ribblesdale had won well, and on this occasion they stopped the visiting pack from building up any momentum.

The result was that the Settle side never had the space and time to make their attacking moves count, despite enjoying several spells of pressure in the second half.

By that time, the visitors were playing catch-up rugby having fallen behind in those important early exchanges, when Selby struck a crucial blow by snuffing out an attempt to spread the ball wide and then counter attacking to score a fine try. Fly-half Carl Patterson then made a crucial contribution by kicking three penalties - one from half-way - and a drop-goal, leaving the visitors 17-3 adrift at the break after a penalty from Sean Kennedy.

Throughout a difficult first-half, Ribblesdale were hampered by a shoulder injury to No 8 Meli Matafeo and although he struggled on after treatment, he wisely withdrew at the interval.

His colleagues could certainly not be faulted for effort in the second-half and they battled long and hard to get back into the game, but to no avail. Good handling saw Gareth Evans break down the right, but Simon Spensley was bundled into touch before the line. Then shortly after, John Walker made a strong run in the same area that was the prelude to hectic Ribblesdale pressure, but Selby's defence was first class.

So the score remained at 17-3 until the last five minutes, when the home side put Ribblesdale to the sword with another Patterson penalty and a final converted try.

Despite the scoreline, it would be unfair to criticise the Settle side. They were perhaps a shade lethargic early on when the Selby pack were quicker to the ball and generally more aggressive, but Ribblesdale certainly contested well enough after that, although the vital morale-boosting score eluded them.

Defeat means that Ribblesdale still need one win from their final two league games, both at Grove Park, to ensure that they finish with at least five clubs beneath them in Yorkshire One which should ensure safety.

But those vital encounters are due to take place on April 14 and 21, against Keighley and Hull respectively, with the East Riding side apparently prepared to travel on that day.

It appears, however, that they will face a Settle side short of several influential players, among them player-coach Matafeo, who is due to return home next week after making a superb contribution to the North Ribblesdale campaign.