1st XV Match Report - 19th November 2016

Ripon travelled to Halifax to visit old friends for this Yorkshire Division 2 encounter. It was not only our first league fixture for many years, but we also played for the Albert Gibson Memorial Trophy. Albert played for both Clubs and was the landlord of the Shoulder of Mutton, pub in Marton cum Grafton; he died suddenly at the age of 47 and his trophy has been sitting in the Old Crossleyans cabinet for many years.

The weather conditions were never going to allow this game to be remembered as a classic. In a week that we commemorated the end of the battle of the Somme, Broomfield was as wet as any Flanders field and a game of attrition was about to unfold before us.
Ripon’s top sports correspondent Mr Bob Champion was engaged on family business and so he recruited a ghost-writer to attend to this game on his behalf.

Rightly encouraged by a good run of form and an exceptional effort the week before against league leaders Moortown, Ripon started brightly enough. From the kick off the flying Findlay harassed the opposition and the familiar strength in the scrum and reliable lineout produced plenty of possession.

The Ripon backline that has excelled this season found it difficult to find the fluidity to break down their opponents and the conditions slowed this game down to a slog. A feisty encounter was threatened when the combative Dave Robinson was illegally challenged and he responded to stand his ground. Some sensible refereeing restored calm and the game continued.

Both sides were making mistakes with the wet ball and restricted mobility. Penalties in contact area and knock-ons were happening all over the field. There was no lack of attacking intent by either side and in essence they were cancelling each other out.
After only 20 minutes Robinson had to leave the field when a dubious boot made contact with his head leading to a cut that could not be adequately bandaged. George Bentley came off the bench, entered the fray and started causing the Crocs real problems around the breakdown.

When the high impact Matty Taylor fell awkwardly on his ankle from a line out jump his afternoon was cut short and the hard working Sam Britton went on to give his all!

Old Crossleyans opened the scoreboard, by kicking the first of their two attempts at goal, to take a slender lead. Ripon then started to move up a gear with possession, territory and tempo. There was some nice interplay between forwards and back frequently orchestrated by Tom Gilchrist and the solid Scott McAra. Jack Stiddard and Dom Dalby were pounding the opponent’s defensive lines with impressive carrying and so the pressure mounted.

The waves of Ripon attacks led to the first try of the game when centre Dom Butler used his strength and forced his way over from close range, with the conversion neatly slotted by Richard Scull to take the lead 3 - 7.

Stiddard then took an unfortunate knock and was replaced by Ashley Plant.

The second half was not going to be radically different from the first. Both defences working hard and the rampaging Plant was causing problems for the opposition, in both attack and defence. Ripon started the second half the stronger and from a some good attacking play McAra played an incisive inside ball near the Crocs line and veteran Peter Taylor appeared to swoop out of the mist to score yet another try!

The conversion attempt was more difficult for Scull and narrowly missed, leaving the score at 3–12. Old Crossleyans were not going to give up on this game and they started applying considerable pressure. There were some good clearances by Scull and Tim Tombling but the Crocs just came back again and again.

The Ripon defence was simply magnificent and whole team should take credit for their tenacity, organisation and an iron will not to yield. Whilst Crocs scored another penalty kick the honour of the Ripon line was left in tact. Bentley was awarded man of the match for Ripon, although to be fair it was difficult to separate a selfless side that work so hard for each other. He edged it on turning over ball he had no right to win and endless tackling.

The final score was Old Crossleyans 6 – Ripon 12. The impact of the Ripon bench was a memorable reminder that this is an 18 man game whether you start or not. Captain Adam Newcombe was proud to receive Albert’s trophy and take it home for him.
Next week we return to home action to face Barnsley and it would be good to see the Ripon faithful turn out in strength to watch and support this exciting side.