An away trip to Cleckheaton in the first round of the Yorkshire cup saw Ripon put on another good performance. The boys started well playing a fast paced game and coming close early on with Ben Borchard close over but knocking on and Charlie Hynes making good gains on the wing. Cleckheaton however took the lead, against the run of play with a penalty try, awarded for deliberately blocking the runner.

Ripon continued to press, Jake Robinson chasing his own chip, getting there first but the ball just rolled over the deadball line. Ripon’s first try soon followed. After a strong run from Ric Castle-Ward the ball moved out wide to Hynes who cut inside to score. The score was soon doubled with James Willis hurtling through to out sprint the defence from his own half. Hynes put the conversion over with a great kick from the sideline to give Ripon a 7-12 lead at half time.

Ripon started the second half well, Jake this time out sprinting the defence to touch down. Hynes again successful with the conversion. With confidence growing Ripon then had a great spell of play scoring three tries in ten minutes. First Ben Borchard, running onto Archie Hassall’s clever chip over, Jake then went over for his second. Olly Bowett scored the third, stealing the ball off the front of a Cleckheaton lineout and storming down the line. Cleckheaton never gave up however and it needed some strong tackling and rucking from the forwards to give Ripon’s backs the ball to run with. Props Rob Heaton awarded Man of Steel for the match and James Gatford putting in a lot of hard work, Elliot Brooksbank and captain for the day Will Langford also making several tackles of note. Ripon’s final try was James Willis second, put through by Ric. Man of the Match Ric Castle-ward almost capped a fine performance with a try, when he was stopped by the last defender at the final whistle. Final score 7-41 to Ripon.