In Rugby parlance, there is an infinite number of “if only” scenarios, but on this occasion, the only one that springs to mind, was “if only the Ripon scrum was as effective as it was in last week’s game”. The scrum and only the scrum and its importance in providing quality first phase ball, was probably the only area in the whole game that signalled the difference between a multi – try bonus point win for Ripon and a losing bonus point defeat. An exceptional line out performance dominated by Britton and Oates; a superb defensive performance led by Stringer and Buckley; an organised attacking platform produced by Half Backs Baker and Hooks and lethal counter attacking weapons in the form of newly returned Adam Scott Paul and Tom Leeming; all added up to a comprehensive team performance from Ripon. The loss of the game at the final whistle was literally a case of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, with a try to the home team with just one minute left to play.

Wath, from their experience in Yorkshire Division One, instinctively knew how to sustain the pressure they developed from their heavyweight pack and finally made their substantial bulk tell when it was needed most, to press home any advantage they could get near the Ripon line. Interestingly, all of Ripon’s three tries came from free running back moves and all of Wath’s four tries came from forward dominated moves. If only Ripon can effectively reduce the risk posed in this area and clinically exploit the talent, pace and ingenuity out wide, the team will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. Despite the bonus point victory, Wath still remain lower down the league than Ripon and will clearly have to look at how they change their fortunes to the better.

Taking the bonus point defeat will be a difficult pill to swallow for Ripon, who showed courage, determination and some really attractive Rugby, but also reinforced the ability of the side to take advantage of openings when they appear and exploit weaknesses in the opposition to make them look quite ordinary. A single point however, is a point and it does ensure that Ripon nestle comfortably in the mid-table position for the first time in countless years as well as having a points scored/against difference of less than 50 points.

An overall team performance, whilst decidedly shaky in some elements of set play, showed that spirit, determination, organisation and the sheer pace and talent of Ripon’s young backs, can and will continue to win vital games and enable the resurgence of the Club to a position of consistent strength in the current division.

At this point in the season, sides tend to be less experimental and more stable, but with some forced and some optional changes, Ripon showed the benefits of strength in depth of the Club and provided debut appearances for a further five players this week. Bringing in Elliot Fearn for his first adult game was a successful move, were it not for his untimely hamstring tear in the second quarter of the game. Fearn showed pace both in attack and defence and tested his opposite number frequently during his time on the field. Returning from injury was Tom Leeming on the Left Wing, who showed pace and flair in both attack and counter attack. Former Club Captain, Adam Scott Paul, appeared for a rare outing in the second row and proved inspirational in his speed to the breakdown and ability to turnover possession in the tackle area. New signing from Harrogate, Tim Tombling was influential at Inside Centre and shows potential for a number of berths in the back division and finally, this season’s Forward Coach Peter Taylor, putting his competitive boots on for the first time in a number of years, played out of his skin for the first half in the second row.

With controversial refereeing decisions high on the agenda for the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final weekend discussions, the result of this game, whilst a travesty compared to Ripon’s input, was not one brought about by the questionable competence of the referee. With a substantial following of travelling support and the aforementioned changes to the squad, Ripon made the trip to Rotherham with expectations of increasing their winning streak to four games. So close was the outcome that Ripon can take much comfort from an outstanding team performance and showed that they can make the most of scrappy possession and have plenty of positives to build on.

From the kick off, the game looked like it needed to be kept away from the home forwards and that’s what Ripon set out to do. With Ripon’s backs and forwards faster to the breakdown, it looked like only a matter of time before the referee started to challenge the home team’s attempts to recycle the ball slowly. A penalty attempt offered to Hooks at four minutes was missed, but Ripon continued to harass the home team to force handling errors. On the ten minute mark, Ripon sacked a defensive line out and through Leeming, pressed up-field to release Cleary on another of his breath-taking runs. Cleary clearly probably playing in his best position at Outside Centre, gifted a pass to Fearn, who made some 20 metres before offloading to Tombling to score the first try of the game on his debut for Ripon. Hooks was just slightly wide in his conversion attempt.

Ripon continued to probe for the next ten minutes until the home side got into a decent attacking line out position in the visitor’s 22 metre area. The line out catch and drive was a formality for the home forwards and the try that followed was just too wide for the conversion attempt. Ripon played out the remainder of the half with some lively attacking and the only pressure from Wath was when their bulky Right Wing found himself in open space and headed for the corner and an almost certain try. Full Back Buckley closed the gap and unceremoniously bundled him off the pitch and up went the Touch Judge's flag. Elated were the visiting supporters to see Buckley putting in another outstanding performance in defence, with a try saving tackle and heroically stepping up to his new role.

The remainder of the half petered out and the half time score of 5 – 5 was a poor refection on Ripon’s possession and ingenuity.

The second half promised a more lively display from both teams and Ripon showed more initiative from the start. At five minutes, quick ball off a line out saw Cleary put into space to dance his way through three tackles and score Ripon’s second try. Hooks made no mistake of the conversion to put Ripon in the lead for the second time. Wath however had other thoughts and through pressing into the Ripon half, forced a penalty and with the predictable touch kick, line out, catch and drive, a further try was scored and converted. Hooks added further points from a well struck penalty on the 22 minute mark, to nudge Ripon in front again

Shortly after that kick, Ripon had their tails up and seemed to be attacking at will, with the Wath forwards looking like they were tiring. From open play, Ripon forced a defensive touch kick and attacked from the line out catch and mini-drive. From two phases of forward drives, Ripon made some good yards. From the base of the ensuing ruck Baker’s attempt at the quick wide ball saw Hooks going for gold. Fingers crossed that he wouldn't drop the uncharacteristically low pass, Hooks scythed through the defence with a hint of a dummy to touch down unopposed just to the right of the posts. Adding the conversion to his try, took Hooks' points tally this season to over 30 points and Ripon to 22 for the day.

The final quarter saw Wath doggedly attack and play to their strengths and in a game that should have been way out of sight by that point, exerted sufficient forward power to score two more converted tries, one with less than two minutes to play, to snatch the glory away from Ripon. No disgrace by any means, but perhaps a lesson in exploiting advantages where they appear and clinically finishing where there is an opportunity to do so.

This weekend Ripon entertain Castleford at home. With winter fast approaching and the attractions of fireside Rugby beckoning, this is the last call before RWC Final day, to pull a good home crowd out onto Mallorie Park, to cheer on the boys in blue to sustain their progress up the league table. Players meet 1.45pm, kick off 3.00pm.