A windy day at Wharfedale this week and with the half-term holidays and players missing with a sickness bug the value of a big squad, and players who are comfortable in more than one position showed. As usual Ripon were slow to start and Wharfedale went 7-0 up before we woke up. Stung into action by the early try Ripon responded well immediately pushing the opposition back with good linebreaks from Heaton, Gatford and Headford.

The equaliser soon coming, James Gatford charging over by the posts from five yards out. Charlie Hynes did his bit with the conversion to level at 7-7. The quick backs of Wharfedale were a constant threat and though Ripon marshalled them well eventually the pressure told and the home team scored a second converted try. Ripon again had to work hard to pull the score back. Owain Gillam going close and Sam Headford growing in confidence in his new role as prop had a great game, making good ground with several strong runs. The Ripon pack were in good form winning the majority of the scrums with and against the head.

Ripon thought they had a try in the corner only for it to be pulled back for a knock-on, however within a minute the score came Rob Heaton running in from the twenty-two handing off the defender to score in the corner 14-12 Again Ripon kept the pressure on Charlie Briton came close .

Playing with the wind behind them in the second half Ripon pushed Wharfedale back into their own twenty-two and had their best spell of the game scoring two quick tries, first Jake Robinson and then Sam Sweet scoring from close in. Great reward for Sam who has been playing well this season but rarely gets on the score sheet. Hynes put both conversions over, he is becoming very consistent with the boot. Ripon could have had more Rob was stopped on the line then got over but was unable to ground the ball, Sam was unlucky to knock-on under pressure from the defence on the line.

Wharfedale enjoyed a spell of good play in the last five minutes and Ripon had to defend their own twenty two. A number of penalty’s given away did not help, and Wharfedale’s winger got a
final try of the game.

Man of the match was awarded to Rob Heaton, Man of Steel was awarded to Sam Headford.