There is a vibe around Ripon RUFC at the moment that is refreshing, positive and almost palpable. The fielding of three adult teams for as many weeks has provided the chance of a game of Rugby for perhaps sixty men of all ages and abilities for the club, without having to beg oft-retired veterans for “one more come-back”, though some have admirably stepped up voluntarily. The results, whilst not always going in the favour of the club, are definitely heading in the right direction and all sides are showing good measures of success on and off the field. The 1st XV difference between points for and points against, rests at just 10, for the first time at this point in the season in many years.

The inclusion of young players from under 18 to under 21 in all sides and all of them performing exceptionally well; is a testament to the success of the club’s youth policy to integrate under 18s into adult teams. It is of course, not all about the youth, but also about players with all sorts of family and work responsibilities, supporting the club to perpetuate its reputation as a playing strength and a driving force in the local community.

The attendance at training continues to be remarkable for the time of year and the closing in of the autumnal weather will be a real test for the spirit and commitment of all team members. The positive thinking suggests that the playing success and the coaching team, will create a compelling offer to keep regulars and hopefuls alike, interested in training, to continuously improve upon the fine work undertaken to date.

These things aside, the recruitment of five new players over the past two weeks, some of whom will be real contenders for 1st XV places, is also great testament to the club’s position in both the league and the community it is part of.

To the game and there may be a number of sides in Yorkshire Division Two, who take the trip to Apperley Road fancying their chances and Old Grovians’ current lowly status in the league may well prompt a false sense of security. Not so Ripon, who prepared meticulously for a hard slog and weathered both the weather and the spirited performance from their hosts to return home with a creditable fourth win of the season.

No disrespect intended to the home team, but their set up and the disorientation provided by the distance between changing and playing facilities, will be unsettling for many visitors used to more compact estates and creates a huge home advantage for Old Grovians. Coaches Hassall and Taylor did their reconnaissance well and ensured that the Ripon squad needed nothing when they arrived in the field at Elm Tree Farm.

For the players, cold comfort awaited, with no shelter and no last minute facilities to call upon. For the non-players, the emergence of the portable tea bar was a welcome addition to the touchline. Mercifully the weather cleared from the morning’s deluge and a fine afternoon with a well maintained pitch, offered the prospect of an interesting game.

Whilst the score-line suggests a good advantage to Ripon, the way the game was actually played, was really very close and but for resolute defence on both sides, could have resulted in a higher score, or even a different result. Ripon made too many unforced errors in attack and Old Grovians fell foul of the referee in many ways and suffered from innumerable penalties. With as much pace as the home side had, that might be a regular problem, with the off side line blurring.

Ripon elected to kick with the wind in the first half and despite some difficulties in communication, pressed to a decent position within a couple of minutes. At the four minute mark, Tim Tombling debuting at Fly Half slotted over his first of four penalties from forty metres to open the scoring after a home player held on too long in the tackle. In virtually a carbon copy from the restart, Grovians were gifted a similar opportunity to level the scores to three all at six minutes.

The next ten minutes saw the Ripon scrum tested, but showed that Number 8 Sam Britton was firmly in control of delivery from the base. Play flowed pretty evenly both ways, with both sides keen to exploit their pacey back divisions and counter attacking potential. Key influencers on the game for Ripon, were the ever present Euan Findlay in his tireless harassment of ball carriers; Adam Scott Paul for his sterling scrummaging and creation of turnover situations, particularly in the first half and Tom Stringer, who punched way above his weight at Lock, carrying, tackling and generally being a nuisance to the opposition. Definitely one to watch for the future.

The remainder of the first half was a combination of both sides attacking every weakness they could find and failing either by unforced errors, or transgressions of the laws. Frustrating as it was, both sides played with fine sportsmanship and made the most of opportunities presented. Apart from an edge in the line out for Ripon, the only real difference between the two sides was the two further penalty goals by Tombling to ease Ripon 3 – 9 ahead at half time.

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good and an ill wind it was, that changed direction at half time to give Grovians more of an advantage in the second half. That said, this wasn’t really exploited as the home team sought to keep the ball in hand as much as possible to keep the game alive. From the restart, nobody on the Ripon side paid much interest to the dangerously high, hanging ball apart from Tom Leeming. Coming in from his wing, Leeming leapt like a salmon to snatch the ball in the air and sprint unopposed forty metres towards the home line. Outpacing his supporting players, Leeming did his best to slow himself down, but this led to a discontinuity and the defence was able to regather sufficiently to hoof the ball into touch. With a line out working consistently well, Rob Nicholson threw a perfect ball for Taylor and was swift enough to join the tail end of the catch and drive to touch down for his second try in as many games. Tombling narrowly missed the conversion attempt. After a further ten minutes, Tombling was presented with a further penalty opportunity after a Ripon attacking pass was adjudged to be deliberately knocked on. Taking the score to 3 – 17, Ripon looked home and dry, but did not get lured into the complacency trap.

Grovians showed tenacity in defence and ingenuity in counter attacking. At the seventy minute mark, a defensive line out for Ripon resulted in a not straight decision. From the following scrum, Grovians used their speedy backs to devastating effect to cross the line for their first try of the game. The conversion just went wide.

The rest of the final quarter was a real challenge in that the home team were playing with pride and passion and Ripon were predominantly on the defensive, but perhaps also trying too hard to succeed. Resolute defence saw Ripon repulse Grovians from their own line on three occasions and on at least two of them, home players were held up from try scoring positions, just unsighted by the referee.

Saturday 14th November sees Ripon entertaining Old Rishworthians, who will clearly be keen on moving up the league table from their current position and testing Ripon in all departments. A lively encounter is promised and all supporters and spectators are welcome for the 2.15 kick off.