Looking to build on last week’s game and securing the double over Wath, Ripon travelled to sun-soaked South Yorkshire, for what promised to be an interesting and exciting encounter. Interesting it was, but exciting it was not and with a score-line of ten all, that summed up the lack of authority that either side stamped on the game.

Many questions were being asked of Ripon, mostly relating to the balance of the squad, with investment in emerging talent and the general direction of the club this season in preparation for next, being prevalent. Also of course was the burning question as to how many of the squad would commit to the away trip “golf theme”? Predictably and without putting too fine a point on it, the majority of the squad went a fair way to entering into the spirit of the event and made the opposition green with envy at their post-match attire.

Another question, was whether Wath would suffer the same misfortunes as the previous game at Ripon, when they lost five players through serious injuries. No worries on this count as the game, whilst fiercely contested by both sides, saw no serious injuries and ironically, little in the way of serious action. With a couple of late changes, Ripon travelled with as good a squad as was ever available this season, compensating appropriately for the last-minute losses of Daniel Askew to a training injury and Matty Taylor to an unfortunate winter sports injury, that will put him out of action until next season. These losses allowed for the recall of effervescent back row player Charlie Yates and evergreen all-rounder Dave Robinson.

In glorious sunshine and with near perfect pitch conditions, Ripon set out to use their increasingly strengthening set piece platform to launch their energetic and enterprising back division. The hosts on the contrary, looked to play a solid defensive game and exploit opportunities to counter attack. Ripon clearly had the edge in the scrums, but with a declining line out presence through the course of the game, chances to attack effectively from first phase became limited. Indeed, it was Wath who made most of the hard yards throughout the game, with their pick and go tactics and incremental progress up the pitch.

Ripon however, sought to spin the ball out wide on perhaps too many occasions, and soon the defence became more savvy in responding, so most chances were snuffed out. The hosts on the other hand, made a few line breaks, but not until late in the game were they anywhere near effective enough.

The first half score line of 0 – 0 summed up a game in which both sides experimented but failed to make any impact on the scoreboard. Wath struggled at the scrum, but defended ably and probed where they could. Ripon didn’t use the scrum as an effective weapon and over complicated possession with perhaps trying too hard to be creative. Straight running and simple ball retention in contact may well have yielded benefits. As might have taking kickable penalty opportunities when they arose. No discredit intended to either side, but too many unforced errors probably cost Ripon at least a three try lead by half time and those sort of opportunities shouldn’t be squandered in future. Pick of the first half for Ripon, were Dom Butler for his aggressive defensive play and his numerous attempts to break through the home defence. George Bentley, in his last game for the club before his sojourn to New Zealand, was outstanding from the outset. Despite his diminutive stature, he played with the heart of a lion and commitment to match. A sad loss to the squad and we all wish him well.

The second half saw the score board attendant swiftly brought back from his slumber, with a Wath penalty goal after five minutes of play. Ripon controlled play well from the restart to take possession up to the home 22 metre area. A move from a scrum left field, saw James Audsley-Beck drift in from his wing and then scythe through the opposition to open the scoring for Ripon. Richard Scull just missed with the conversion attempt, but nudged Ripon in front by two points.

Ripon pressed again from the restart and held the hosts in their half for the next ten minutes. A perfectly weighted grubber through the defence by Scull, saw Audsley-Beck cross the line for the second time, only on this occasion, just not quickly enough to touch the ball down. A further intense period of Ripon possession saw more attacks on the home lines. At 32 minutes, from a penalty touch kick, the line out was followed by a perfectly executed drive for the line, with Euan Findlay positioned at the tail of the maul to make no mistake of the touch down to put Ripon up to 10 points. Scull narrowly missed the conversion and Ripon set themselves to hang on to their 3 – 10 lead.

In what seemed an interminable final quarter. The hosts threw everything they could at Ripon, but still the defence held firm. Well into injury time, a Wath attack after two failed penalty scrums, saw a break to the left. Ripon’s defence were up as quickly as ever, but Joe Duffield’s attempted interception of the last floated pass was adjudged but the referee to be a deliberate knock on. Whilst a penalty try was awarded, no sanction was offered against Duffield, thereby questioning the severity of the alleged offence. The conversion attempt was assisted by the cross bar, to level the scores at 10 – 10. With another 10 minutes of injury time played after that, both sides sought to increase their chances of winning and to be fair, Wath probably played with more passion in the final five. The second half lasted a possibly record breaking 52 minutes, with both sides happy to hear the final whistle.

A draw has to be a fair result for this keenly contested game. Neither side dominated completely and both lacked execution. No disgrace and no loss, so plenty to build on and clearly understood areas for improvement to work on.

Next week, Ripon rest the 1st XV before embarking on another trip to South Yorkshire to take on Sheffield Medicals in what promises to be a more lively encounter on 28th January. Ripon of course will be looking to improve further on this week’s performance and return to winning ways. The students will as usual, want to play their expansive style and so this will be an interesting test for both. All support welcome as usual. Team meet to be confirmed kick off will be 2.15pm.