Having seen off affectionately named storms Kate and Abigail over the last week without any dire consequences locally, save for the usual raising of river levels, Ripon awaits the predicted deluges associated with another tropical storm called Barney and any detrimental effect more rain might have on the club’s ability to offer the playing fields of Mallorie Park for games this coming weekend.

The mild yet damp conditions last weekend, didn’t really hamper either teams’ ability to handle the ball well in difficult circumstances, or their ability to stay on their feet when required. It also didn’t dampen either the spirit of the visitor’s quest to push themselves further up the league, or the host’s ambition to consolidate a midfield position not enjoyed for a number of seasons. Tropical storms or even hurricanes aside, playing the conditions well, is a huge advantage to any side and so Ripon’s performance on Saturday against a spirited Rishworthians side, was one in which weather and storms of all sorts, were dealt with.

Freak weather permitting, this is the time of year when one expects the conditions to be less than conducive to festival Rugby and with league positions open for consolidation, Ripon entered this game on the back of a hard fought win away last week and knowing that this week’s opposition would be keen to keep up their enviable record against their hosts. The conditions therefore, weren’t a particularly negative contributor to the game and with little wind to speak of, the damp ball didn’t bother either side.

Resisting further urges to talk about the weather, the selected team is well worthy of some note. Two changes in the back division saw Harry Cleary returning after a week’s illness to Outside Centre and Jack Baker returning to beef up the half back options. In the pack, the late drop out by Dom Dalby saw an option for newly returned Ashley Plant to be included in the starting line-up, with Skipper Adam Newcombe stepping across to Hooker for the absent Rob Nicholson. All changes seamlessly integrated into the side and the confidence in the team that came from making changes and accommodating them was obvious. Whilst not a text book performance by Ripon in exploiting their attacking potential, the result was a sound testament to the squad’s ambition, belief and courage, that they can absorb pressure and play their own game to good effect.

Back to the weather and playing conditions and in this respect, Old Rishworthians failed to disappoint. For the first fifteen minutes of the game they dominated open play to the extent that Ripon only left their half once to unsuccessfully chase a restart kick. Only Ripon’s strength in the scrum and line out, saw them take advantage from the visitor’s errors in the opening exchanges. For the first few minutes however, Rishworthians threw everything into attack and defence and kept the home team on the defensive phase after phase. Such was the visitor’s pressure, that Ripon conceded a penalty after only two minutes. Fortunately, the goal attempt was just wide, but it kept the visitors in firing range from the drop out restart. Rishworthians pressed back with their possession to drive over the Ripon line in the far left corner. The referee, unsighted to the touch down, called “held up” and offered the visitors a five metre scrum put in. In a dramatic power surge, the realigned Ripon pack unceremoniously shunted the visitors off their put in to claim the strike. The clearance kick from Tombling buying valuable yards.

As is often the way, a slight misreading of the opposition’s guile can lead to disaster. So after only seven minutes of sustained pressure, Rishworthians used the throw in from Tombling’s clearance to throw a “funny” to the front. From a short throw to the front, which incidentally didn’t work again in the game afterwards, the visitors’ scrum half and hooker combined perfectly to run in unopposed for the opening score of the game at seven minutes, the conversion being a formality.

From this restart, Ripon were again pushed back and forced to defend within their own half. At the fifteen-minute mark, a penalty opportunity saw Ripon take the touch kick. The line out saw an effective catch and drive, which progressed for some 30 metres before Plant spilled out to take the ball on a further 10 metres. Rapid play at the break down saw McRobert feed Tombling, who hoisted a high ball to the left wing. Intuitively, Tom Leeming chased, harassed his opposite number into dropping the ball and grubbered ahead to touch down for Ripon’s first score. Tombling narrowly missed the conversion from the touchline.

The remainder of the first half was very evenly matched with both sides seeking to play expansively. Ripon consolidated an edge in the scrums and line outs, and this was key to limiting the visitor’s attacking options. As the half progressed, it seemed that Ripon were gaining control but unforced handling errors and too many penalties conceded, stifled any continuity. Ripon’s discipline however, held firm and through two Tombling penalty goals, Ripon entered the half time break 11 – 7 ahead.

The second half was a more dour affair, with both sides slogging as hard as they could. Neither side developed the space and time to encourage creative back moves, or build on any advantages gained; either through dominance or chance. With Tombling converting two penalty goals in the second half and his counterpart kicking one, Ripon took enormous comfort from the home win, at the right time to continue to build on the fantastic cub spirit there is at the moment.

Saturday 21st November sees Ripon travelling to high placed Pontefract, who will clearly be keen to press for reinstatement to Yorkshire Division One. A lively encounter is promised and all travelling supporters and spectators are welcome for the 2.15 kick off.