Gloomy and still was the weather on Saturday, with not much in the way of festive cheer evident. A similar story for Ripon’s performance; in a game where despite dominating the set piece and having plenty of ball to play with, they never really got going. Disappointing for Leos too, whose spirited display was worthy of far more than they got from their loyal support of one man and three dogs, one of whom was itching to get in on the action at one point. Or maybe he was just itching? For the second season in succession, the travelling Ripon supporters by far outnumbered the home supporters and international games on TV or not, it must be frustrating for a team such as Leos, giving their all on the pitch, to have nobody to watch them. Not all bad though however. An away win is a good boost to morale and keeps the league points building up, to make this Ripon’s most successful season at this point for many years.

Opting to rest several players before next week’s crunch game with promotion contenders Old Rishworthians and playing a couple out of normal positions, Ripon had a somewhat experimental look to the team and maybe this was what affected the fluidity of the game? Maybe not, as the coaching team have emphasised the squad ethos, which has its foundations on what must be positivity and flexibility. That said, with the majority of players buying in to the squad concept and the majority happy to compete for their places, week in week out; a real sense of purpose and camaraderie is developing. Maybe not the right point at which to mention it, but the training ground is where all the current success comes from and as we go in to darker, colder and wetter climes, the togetherness on the training field – or wherever we end up sheltering from the elements, will cement the squad into a well organised and committed unit. All players, at all levels are therefore urged to keep committing to training and continuously improving as individuals and as a club.

Back to this weekend and credit must also be due to the hosts, who made the most of their scrappy possession and played enthusiastically and passionately. Indeed, for probably half of the game, they played with much energy and offered many question, but it was Ripon’s resolute defence that saw them through. The Leos 10 was their man of the match, with his creativity and skill both with the boot and with ball in hand. Outstanding for Ripon was Jake McRobert, guesting on the wing and putting in a superb performance both in attack and defence. Also, standing out for Ripon was Jack Stiddard, who used his considerable bulk to make some big carries.
A team game it is though and despite the changes, Ripon never looked like losing this game as everyone stepped up to make up for errors and keep the team’s nose in front and make it 10 wins out of 13 league games.

Ripon received the opening kick-off in fine style with McRobert plucking the ball from mid-air at pace and taking the attack to the hosts. Succumbing to the Ripon pressure, Leos conceded a couple of penalties in succession and the subsequent touch kicks gave the visitors the momentum to use their effective line out to close in on the home line. At 6 minutes into the game, quick line out ball from Britton, saw the ball whipped right for McRobert to outpace his opponent and make some 30 metres before chipping the Full Back. With a perfectly timed bounce, McRobert scooped up the ball and slid over to open the scoring for Ripon. Tim Tombling whacked the conversion over from almost on the touchline with as fine a kick as any we have seen this season.

Ripon continued in the same vein from their restart and camped in the Leos half for some 10 minutes. Poor tackling however, allowed Leos to break out and use their close support game to good effect. Pushing back into Ripon’s half a high tackle gifted Leos with a penalty goal to lessen the gap to 3 – 7 after 17 minutes.

Not taking things lying down, Ripon revived their attack and fought their way back into the host’s half. At 23 minutes, a penalty touch kick gave Ripon the launch-pad for a further attack. Quick line out ball from Britton again, saw the ball go through hands first to the left and then right, to connect with Stiddard, who ploughed a straight line, gathering defenders on his way for some 30 metres, before releasing the ball to McRobert. McRobert, seeing the defence flat-footed, chipped perfectly for Harry Scurr to race onto and win the scramble for the touch-down. Sadly, Tombling was unable to replicate his earlier conversion success from a similar position, but at 3 – 12, this was starting to look more like Ripon’s game.

Speaking too soon however, Leos responded positively from the restart reception and worked their way back upfield. At the half hour mark, Ripon conceded a soft penalty, which was duly converted into a further 3 points for the hosts. Ripon then sought to press back and held Leos around their line, aiming to either score, or wind the clock down. Perhaps the intervention of the Chocolate Labrador at 34 minutes sealed Ripon’s fate for the half. Bemused as to who he was replacing – Tight Head Prop or Full Back, Ripon took their foot off the gas and allowed a last-minute counter by the hosts (minus dog as he was too fat to keep up). Leos took play gradually back to the Ripon line over the next few minutes and a last gasp try saving manoeuvre by McRobert and Tombling, forced a penalty turnover and to relieve the pressure, ending the first half 6 – 12, with some serious questions for Ripon to ask during the break.

Ripon kicked off the second half and proceeded to break down any attempts by Leos to get out of their half. At the 10-minute mark, used their line out catch and drive to good effect and released Harry Scurr from the back of the maul. Quick ball to Richard Hooks enabled him to exploit a chink in the defence, to follow up his own grubber kick to calmly gather and touch down. Tombling added the conversion to nudge Ripon ahead 6 – 19 and leaving Leos in a more difficult position. Leos however, rose to the occasion and stepped up a gear. The last quarter was effectively the hosts throwing everything they could at Ripon and not getting too far. With the added bonus for them provided by Dom Butler being sin binned for not understanding the off-side laws, the pressure finally told however and the Leos number 10 exploited a moment of confusion in Ripon’s defensive alignment; as well as some very sloppy tackling, to touch down in the corner for a well-deserved try. An individual effort and fine reward for his efforts on the day. Missing the conversion kept the score at a respectable 11 – 19 in Ripon’s favour and thankfully there were no similar excursions in the dying moments of the game.

There are often games like this, the fewer the better. Survival depends on sticking to the club’s playing philosophy and values. Ambition, Courage and Belief. We have those aplenty, bring them all out every week from now on!

Next week Ripon entertain Old Rishworthians at Mallorie Park and look forward to a game that gives the visitors less of an upper hand than the previous encounter back in September. A good crowd will be most welcome to cheer on an in form and hopefully full strength Blues.