U15's A Tight Game Against Thirsk

A quick change of venue for the U15s, with the Ripon pitches being waterlogged the fixture was reversed and Ripon travelled to Thirsk instead, for what turned out to be a very tight game. Ripon started well and nearly had a try with the first attack, Sam Headford unlucky to knock on after a good
run saw him inside the five meter line. As it was Thirsk took the lead only for Ripon to come straight back.

Strong running from James Willis and Ric Castle-Ward pushing Ripon well into the Thirsk twenty-two where they won a penalty in front of the posts. Quick thinking from scrum half Henry Calvert who took a quick tap and burrowed through the defence to touch down. Hynsy put the conversion over to give Ripon the lead 5-7 at half time.

The second half turned into a carbon copy of the first. Thirsk scored a second from their own twenty two, a bad try from Ripon’s point of view, too many missed tackles. Again the response was positive, Henry again going over after a quick tap but this time the defence holding the ball up and he could not ground it. Ripon retook the lead with the ball spread wide from a penalty, good hands down to Ben Borchard on the overlap to touch down in the corner.

Thirsk 10-Ripon 12. With time running out Thirsk pressed hard, a smart covering tackle from Willis down the line stopping one promising attack. In the final minute Ripon had to defend two five metre scrums, the defence stood up well though and Ripon turned the ball over to end the game.

Man of the Match was awarded to James Willis and Man of Steel was awarded to Henry Calvert