Guisborough 6 New Dales 0

The home team enjoyed a comfortable win in their first game of the season, the final score no reflection on the entertaining game played by both teams. Guisborough's Charlotte Page and Helen Humphrey played some excellent crosses into the New Dales circle which were expertly dealt with by their keeper Gill Brine. Continued pressure from Guisborough paid off when captain Helen Barker flicked the ball into the net from close range to open the scoring. After a quick clearance and good passing from Guisborough's Nichola Dodd to Helen Barker who calmly flicked the ball over keeper Gill Brine for her second goal. The second half saw a very determined Guisborough continue to dominate the game with Charlotte Page excelling on the right wing to supply very accurate passes into the New Dales circle. Guisborough's teenager Helen Humphrey skilfully dribbled the ball to the byline where she slipped it back to Helen Barker to complete the first hat-trick of the season. After another excellent cross from Charlotte Page to Cath Dixon, who beat the keeper, a similar move saw Adele Brown add Guisborough's fifth goal with Helen Barker scoring the final goal with only seconds on the clock.

Thirsk 2 Stokesley 2

Thirsk, who had several new players in their squad, dominated the first half with Lynne McKeown scoring the first goal from a penalty corner, a second came from Lucy Downes from a pass from McKeown. Stokesley commenced the second half with more determination and within ten minutes had recovered a goal when Stokesley's teenager Peri Anderson beat the Thirsk keeper. Stokesley continued to pressure with their efforts culminating in a second and equalising goal.

Barnard Castle 7 Norton 0

Barnard Castle settled quickly and within 15 minutes were two goals up, good passing from Barnard Castle led to further chances only to be denied by Norton's young keeper Stephen Keinee. With Barnard Castle maintaining pressure a further two goals were scored by half time.

The second half saw Norton start the half strongly, but after a quick clearance the home side turned defence into attack only for their shots on the Norton goal to be saved by their in form keeper. Barnard Castle worked hard and by full time had scored a further three goals with Jean Southeran scoring her hat-trick. Player of the match for Barnard Castle Charlotte Snowdon, for Norton Steph Kleinee.

Fixtures for Sept 22: Barnard Castle v Stokesley; Roseberry v Mackinlay; Norton v Guisborough; Stockton v New Dales; Northallerton v Tioxide; Richmond v Thirsk.

Ripon Ladies RFC

Newly-promoted Ripon Ladies have enjoyed a dream start to their new season.

Ripon entered the Premier II as one of the top 16 teams in the country and while the team relish the opportunity to play at such a high standard the demands at this new level are great. There to defend their title, the girls produced some excellent rugby to win every round and beat Blaydon in the final.

Although the team played well at the Tens, there was no chance to get a full XV out before the season, with many players taken for England and Regional selection processes.The first test as a full team came against Nottingham Casuals on Sunday in the first league fixture of the season.

Nottingham, newly-demoted from Premier I, were the clear favourites to go home with the points with Ripon hoping to put in a good team performance.

The strong, experienced forward pack used their size and power to drive Ripon back into their own 22. Defending from the off Ripon struggled to maintain the Nottingham pack and after constant pressure in the home side's 22 Nottingham were eventually awarded a penalty try after just five minutes. The try was converted and Ripon were 7-0 down. Ripon's turning point came after 30 minutes when a good attacking position was secured just outside the opposition's 22.

The Ripon forwards managed to secure good quick ball off the scrum, which released the back line to work their first real set play of the game. Di Blades, C Bell and Spence combined well; the latter scoring following good support down the wing. Blades converted to make the scores at half-time level. Good defending and intelligent play paid off when Ripon converted pressure to points in Nottingham's five with the forwards again providing an excellent platform for the backs and Iona Frickleton powering across the line to store. Blades again converted to give Ripon a 14-7 lead. Debutant Leah Bentham, on the wing, then scored an excellent individual try, and she then added another shortly after. Before Nottingham scored a consolation (24-14)

Ripon travel down to Saracens on the 20 September and their next home fixture is against Cheltenham on October 6.

Ripon Team: Dawson (Storie, 40), Stoddart, Bruce, Entwhistle, England, K Bell, Fiddler, Heaton, Frickleton, Blades, C.Bell (cpt) (Walters, 40), S Spence, Ward (M Spence), Smith (Redford), Weston (Bentham, 50).