In miserable conditions, on a boggy pitch and with several of Ripon’s patrons and sponsors, warmly ensconced in the clubhouse eagerly awaiting internationals on TV, no-one could blame the players from either side for not enthusing over the game. On an energy sapping surface and with interesting interpretation of the laws of the game throughout, the match never really flowed as one might have expected, certainly for Ripon. Old Grovians are clearly on a recovery plan and played for 80 minutes like they wanted a decent result for themselves. Ripon had prepared meticulously for the type of game they needed to play, but didn’t execute it quite as intended and this was probably the main difference between the two sides and perhaps the reason for the loss.

In the current division, any point is worthwhile and a losing bonus point is very helpful, but to allow a game of two halves to occur, is careless of Ripon and they need to make as much a mark on the game as training plans prepare for, from the outset. Turning around at half time 0 – 18 down, gave the visitors an enormous boost to their confidence, but Ripon an enormous kick start to playing the game they set out to do. With an ok scrum and an ok line out – honours even really between both sides, the test was to be in who used their ball most effectively. The brutal reality was that Old Grovians used their possession well, to take penalty kicks at goal and capitalise on try scoring chances. Whilst not all bad by any means, Ripon squandered possession by over-complicating plays and failed to capitalise on their dominant set plays, such as the driving maul.

Ripon’s backs were never going to get into full flight in the mud, but they tried to play an expansive game and certainly in the first half, that led to unfortunate breakdowns that opened up possibilities for the opposition. After half time, the Ripon play became more inclusive and the intelligently used possession, saw significant inroads made against the opposition.

The first half saw the visitors rack up two penalty goals, two tries and one conversion to no reply. Ripon looked frequently out of shape, communicated ineffectively and allowed the opposition to dictate several phases of play. Grovians made the most of their scoring chances and apart from one missed conversion, scored every point they were able to. Ripon however, defended well for the most part and frustratingly, just couldn’t get into a cohesive pattern of play. The sad testament of the half was two Ripon scrums lost against the head and three line outs not going with throw in.

After half time, the Ripon side looked more fresh and game for a win. The opposition conversely. Looked like they were about to “batten down the hatches” and do what they could to withstand the onslaught. Thus a differently composed Ripon side systematically attacked the opposition, with repeated phases, more confidence in the set piece and better communications between players.

There was no immediate success however and the third quarter was taken up mostly by both packs bludgeoning away at each other, almost to the point of being unrecognisable as the mud deepened. The attrition was broken at 15 minutes, when a succession of Ripon forward drives saw Richard Scull break free to open the scoring for the Blues. He calmly added the conversion to move Ripon up the scoreboard.

After more battling up front and frequent testing runs in the backs, Ripon produced many effective phases of retention and good options in open play. On the 70 minute mark, Ripon perfectly executed a line out catch and drive, with some 20 metres covered before skipper Adam Newcombe touched down for the side’s second try. Scull added the conversion with ease, though the ball must have weighed heavy by this point.

A further scoring opportunity arose five minutes later, with a similarly placed line out. Ripon however opted for a shortened line out, with the point of releasing quick ball to the backs. In hindsight, a full line, with catch and drive, would probably have led to the necessary third try to take the lead. That said, Ripon threw everything they could at the visitors for the last few minutes and their defence held strong.

Almost throwing caution to the wind, in the dying seconds of the game, a Ripon attack foundered and gave the opposition the opportunity to break out and take play the length of the pitch back to Ripon’s line. The referee thankfully adjudged the touch down to be illegal and Ripon were spared the indignity of a last gasp try that was completely against the run of play. The ensuing penalty was cleared and despite some protestations and confusion from the opposition, the game was concluded after 8 minutes of extra time and Old Grovians eventually happy to take the win.

Next week, Ripon travel to fifth place contenders Roundhegians and must be looking to gain some consistently good form. All support welcome as usual, kick off will be 2.15pm.