In what seems like the longest month ever in the history of Rugby, any hopes of a sporting spectacle to dispense with the all-pervading Seasonal Affective Disorder”, were blown away by a war of attrition at Weetwood this week, in a repeat of November’s abandoned game. With a re-arranged side due to several of the squad’s current schoolboy contingent away on a trip to Berlin, Ripon fielded a squad with several of the old guard stepping out on parade. Increasing the average age of the squad to 27, the bench alone, measured in at a total age of 115 years. A glowing testament to the loyalty and commitment to the club of its senior players (whether they actually get on the field to play or not) and a strong example to others who pick and choose where and when they play.

The game itself was not a pretty sight. To carelessly misquote French Marshall Bosquet’s observation of the Charge of the Light Brigade: “Ce’st le guerre, mais ce n’est pas magnifique”. Of course there were flashes of brilliance from both sides and of course the throng of Ripon supporters were often on the edge of their seats. Well would have been if the concrete terracing had been warm enough to sit on. Despite however, many efforts to play thrilling Rugby, the game was marred by errors on both sides, interesting decisions by all parties and a serious lack of discipline on behalf of Ripon. It would be fair to say that the home team looked and acted like they wanted this game far more than Ripon. From the outset, they tackled like demons, contested every loose ball, dominated the scrum and counter attacked with venom and pace. Ripon on the contrary, absorbed the pressure, tested for weaknesses and tried to exploit scoring chances more measuredly. In a match filled with penalties for various reasons, the home team, had they a decent goal kicker, could have converted far more pressure into points by taking the three point option on a number of occasions. They however, chose to opt for touch kicks and line outs and their new trick, the catch and drive, which they used to good effect. Ripon’s downfall was invariably taking the wrong option several times by opting for individual efforts rather than letting the ball and the speedy backs, do the talking. Too many times were Ripon’s attacks and counter attacks, there were many as turnovers were rife, stifled by outrunning the support or failing to use overlaps. Simple plays that win games were ignored or avoided and must be adopted against sterner opposition. That said, Leeds Medics and Dentists played out of their skins and certainly well enough to have won. That said, they didn’t.

The differences between the two sides, apart from the obvious age gap, were clear. The home side had pace, enthusiasm and a degree of flair. With two props flying around the field like rampaging Wildebeest, every attack featured a different dimension and sucked in the visitor’s defence. Countering but all too often isolated, was Ripon’s own Veldt rampager, Dud Stead, whose usual attacking influence on the game was eventually snuffed out. Mighty however in defence, Stead was responsible for a wealth of turnover ball and a similar amount of harsh refereeing decisions. Stalwarts also for a sizeable portion of the game were veteran forward Rob Lamb and not far off veteran Centre Mark Spilman, who both showed huge commitment and experience in steadying the game when it was needed.

In their favour, LMD kept in tune with the referee and restricted their offences to a minimum. Ripon however, seemed to go for broke and with two yellow cards and one red, spent large amounts of the game with less players than the opposition and at one stage with only 13 men. Could that have been the reason for the less than optimal performance? Probably not, but discipline must be a point of focus in preparation for the next few games as a dearth of players in key positions will inevitably impact on the squad’s ability to compete in all areas of the game.

For the record, Ripon’s scores came from a well struck penalty goal on the 30 minute mark from interesting prospect Tom Leeming. A talented and skilful all-round sportsman, with great vision, pace and confidence. Unlucky with his later conversion attempt, but a safe pair of hands in attack or defence and one to watch for the future. Turning around at half time 0 – 3 up, the crowd waited with baited breath for a further scintillating performance. With Nicholson yellow carded before half time for killing the ball and Stead yellow carded immediately after the restart for an alleged similar offence, LMD worked out the maths quickly and cleverly sought to take maximum advantage of two Ripon forwards standing on the touchline.

The home team were awarded a penalty within a couple of minutes of the second half and having kicked to touch, used their precision catch and drive and depleted Ripon pack, from the ensuing line out, to score a try deep in the corner. The conversion attempt from the touchline was never in doubt – nowhere near. It wasn’t until the final quarter that Ripon finally managed to put some attacking phases together and after a series of probes towards the home team 22 metre line, they were awarded a penalty. Seeing it out of range and fearing the student’s line out, Ripon bravely opted for the scrum and for once in the game it went forward. Stead picked up from the base and in a replay of his heroic try in the abandoned November game, drove over the line with half the opposition on his back to score his third try of the season. Unfortunately Bob Whitaker couldn’t make the conversion, but at 5 – 8, Ripon resolved to hold on to the end. That they did. LMD hurled everything but the kitchen sink at Ripon for the last ten minutes and came so close to scoring on several occasions. An unfortunate incident at 75 minutes saw Rob Nicholson leave the field for the second time, only permanently on this occasion, gave LMD the impetus to attack with renewed vigour. Last ditch tackles from the likes of Buckley, Spilman and Whitaker kept the opposition out and saw Ripon through to a second successive victory by a narrow margin, but nevertheless, a three pointer.

A testament to the intensity of the battle at the final whistle was the collapse of the home team, almost to a man; exhausted, deflated and obviously devastated that they had let this game slip from their grasp when it was theirs for the taking. Ripon on the contrary, were delirious with joy, with high fives and fist pumps flying about like they’d just been invented. Apologies to the hosts for not hanging around too long afterwards. Whatever they were up to in the changing room (probably looking for the key so they didn’t lose the tenner deposit); the visitors waited as long as they could before departing. The travellers did have to leave in order to get the veterans back to their rest homes and the remaining schoolboys back for their homework. High point of the brief stay in the “View Bar” was that the team had their fill of pizza, an interesting choice of post-match nutrition. The team did manage to take in a swift half at the Dyneley Arms at Pool Bank and yet another enjoyable court session. We do hope that when LMD return to Ripon for the final encounter of the trilogy, they will stay for some North Yorkshire hospitality, fine home cooked food and beer in real glasses.

The next week sees Ripon travel to now league leaders Bradford Salem in yet another crunch game. A big ask all round as Ripon will be forced to make further changes in the pack and whilst there will be huge competition for the starting back line, there will be a serious look at currently in form forwards to step up. The team and travelling supporters will be meeting at 11.30 unless publicised otherwise and all support very welcome as usual.