The visiting team, who have regularly operated at the National Two level, were expected to provide a stern test, and they did not disappoint.

Despite the atrocious conditions, Scunthorpe took the lead after 10 minutes with a try in the corner from winger David Teece.

North Ribblesdale responded well, exerting pressure and denying Scunthorpe possession for periods.

Mercurial fullback Ben Coultherd squeezed through a gap and dashed home from 40 metres to equalise at 5-5.

Scunthorpe scored again with a rolling maul, but North Ribblesdale responded in kind, driving Ryan Sumner over the line for his customary score to leave the interval score at 10-10.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, North Ribblesdale were confident of edging ahead, but poor discipline at the tackle and breakdown resulted in a series of penalties and a yellow card.

Scunthorpe capitalised on this, scoring a converted try with five minutes to go to lead 17-10.

North Ribblesdale made a valiant effort to equalise, with flanker Alex Dew driving for the line at the death, but he was tackled by two defenders, and the ball was lost forward.

The final whistle confirmed Scunthorpe's victory, leaving North Ribblesdale to rue what might have been.

With a little more clinical finishing and a reduced penalty count, Ribb will prove a difficult side to beat as they grow into rugby at this level.