Not exactly a display of “total Rugby” this week, but as near this Ripon squad has come to demonstrating that it has learned much from this half of the season and also learned how to maximise possession and minimise the attacking potential of the opposition. Visiting Pontefract and gaining a positive result has never been easy, though Ripon seem to have managed it for two seasons in a row now and what a way to deliver an away win it was. From the start, Ripon played with composure and patience, took their scoring opportunities and finished well. Unforced errors were limited and once the discipline of the team settled and the penalty count dropped, Ripon mastered a game in which the outcome was never in any doubt,

In very cold conditions, the wind blew consistently from end to end and thus favoured each team in turn. Also, with superb ground conditions, it was a matter of who played the elements better to win the game. Aside from the elements however, there were a number of factors in Ripon’s favour. For a start, probably the smallest, but most effective set of back row forwards in the division in Findlay, Matt Taylor and Bentley; ripped into the heart of the opposition and reduced them to using scraps of possession from which to counter attack with. There was the scrum, which grew in strength throughout the game and with the effectively functioning line out, provided ample clean possession to work with. The half back partnership of McAra and Scull showed creativity and flair, as well as using the conditions perfectly and the back line was dominated by Dom Butler, who was a tower of strength defensively and aggressive in attack enough to notch up two tries. Also worthy of note were Sam Britton’s sterling performance all around the park and Joe Duffield for his pace and incision in attack.

To Pontefract’s credit, they sought to counter attack at every opportunity and with their two tries, showed plenty of fight. They were however unfortunate to lose one player to a yellow card in the first half and then the same player for much of the second half, red carded for a repeat offence. Had the hosts been at full establishment for the full game, the score line may have been different, but Ripon capitalised on the “power play” and punished Pontefract for their indiscipline.

Ripon couldn’t have wished for a better start, when the perfectly placed kick off was tapped back by Bentley for Newcombe to run on to and immediately put the hosts under pressure. Clearing their lines momentarily the hosts looked to run out of defence, but Plant effected a turnover to launch a counter through Scull. Scull went left first and then switched play to the right through Seal, who broke through two tackles to release Joe Duffield to score Ripon’s first try on the two minute mark. Scull added the conversion with ease.

Pontefract hit back from the restart to pin Ripon in their own half, but the visitors broke out in the counter. The attack was short lived though and Pontefract regained possession to hack the ball back downfield. Tombling scrambled the ball away, but offended in the process. A quickly taken penalty touch kick resulted in an even more quickly taken line out. Caught on the hop, Ripon conceded a soft try and conversion to level the scores after only five minutes. Despite Ripon’s best efforts, the hosts edged further ahead after 13 minutes with a penalty goal.

There followed a number of passages of play in which Ripon soaked up the pressure and defended with passion. At 20 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Taylor junior stole a home line out and the Ripon pack set about a number of drives. Back into the home 22 metre area, Scull put a speculative chip over the defence and Butler streaked through to touch down for his first try of the afternoon. Scull added the conversion to take the score up to 10 – 14. The rest of the half saw Ripon gradually gaining dominance and snuffing out any home attacks.

Three minutes to go to half time, Ripon destroyed a home scrum and from the ensuing melee, Pontefract broke loose only for their Centre to be dispossessed by Butler. Scull was quick to recycle the ball to Seal, who scampered in for Ripon’s third try. In his conversion attempt, Scull managed to hit the woodwork to leave the score at a creditable 10 – 19. The dying seconds of the game saw Ripon on the offensive again, with Butler and Newcombe linking well to nearly score, but for an errant last pass.

Playing into the wind in the second half, Ripon used the elements cleverly, keeping the ball in hand and kicking low. At eight minutes, Ripon pressed up to the home 10 metre line, where they forced them into conceding a penalty. Butler took a cheeky quick tap and whilst everyone stood around watching, the referee waved play on and Butler romped in for his second try and Ripon’s bonus point earning fourth, Scull making no mistake of the conversion.

At the restart, an uncharacteristic handling error, gave Pontefract a scrum put in. Ripon offended by wheeling and the quickly taken penalty saw the hosts break through to score their second try, which was duly converted. With the score now poised at 17 – 26, Ripon had sufficient incentive to tighten control of the game and put victory beyond reach of their hosts.

At the end of the third quarter, Ripon seized on the opportunity to counter from home possession again. Butler turned over his opposite number yet again, to put first Gilchrist, then Seal away to score Ripon’s fifth and final try of the day, Scull again successful with his conversion attempt. With 20 minutes to go and a score of 17 – 33, Pontefract were keen to edge back into the game, but without decent first phase possession, they continued to live off scraps. Ripon on the contrary, dominated all phases of play and did everything apart from score. Critically however, whilst more tries would have and could have made the victory more emphatic, the defensive display was superb and Ripon simply stopped the hosts from playing their game.

Next week Ripon entertain League leaders Moortown and hope to continue asking questions of the top teams. Kick offs are now at 2.15 from now until the end of March, meet time this Saturday will be 1.00pm.