York RI playing some of their best rugby this season ran out convincing 30-10 winners of this Yorkshire Shield first round tie at Northallerton.

RI had to withstand early pressure from the formidable Northallerton pack, but through good, solid defence and a series of forward drives in which Manu Fotu was prominent, enough ground was made for RI to take the lead with a Matthew Yates penalty.

Northallerton hit back almost immediately as winger Benson crashed over but RI regained the lead close to half-time when Ian Hassall, who had taken over the kicking duties from the injured Yates, kicked RI's second penalty.

If RI had spent periods of the first half defending the second half was all about open, attacking play.

The forwards continually won good ball and fed the backs who sliced through the Northallerton defence time and time again.

So much was their superiority that they scored four second half tries all through right winger Matthew Madigan, Hassall converting two.

Northallerton scored a consolation try late on in the game.