Always a difficult place to travel to and get any sort of result, Roundhegians didn’t fail to disappoint in this tough battle. A true test of nerves and resolve, this game was eventually won through Ripon’s tenacity, composure and effective use of a dominant scrum. This was no walkover by any means, apart from in the scrummage, where the mighty front row of Plant, Newcombe and Dalby; effectively took the opposition apart from start to finish. The hosts used their line out effectively and whilst limited in their attacking options, defended strongly enough to force Ripon into a number of errors. A couple of critical areas for Ripon to expand upon are the use of the scrum as a launch pad and effective support play, particularly in keeping the ball alive. Areas for development include better organising defensive structure and reinstating the line out as an effective attacking option.

An all-round good team effort saw Ripon cross the home line twice to no reply and sterling performances from Plant and Hockey in taking the ball into the heart of the opposition. Scull kicked from hand with precision and Dom Butler further perfected his turnover skills at the breakdown. Findlay made a nuisance of himself around the park as usual and Tombling had a solid game at Full Back, keeping a clean sheet.

Roundhegians kicked off straight into touch and from the scrum back, Ripon showed just how powerful they were up front. A break from the base by Hockey supported by Findlay eventually ended up in touch. The home line out was stolen by Lister and it looked like being a Ripon dominated day up front. The next attack however, broke down and the hosts cleared their lines. The next ten minutes or so saw both sides using and losing possession in turn and no real attacking opportunities coming to fruition.

At 13 minutes, the hosts got far enough into Ripon territory to force Ripon into conceding a penalty, but the goal attempt went wide. Ripon took play back at the opposition and from a penalty touch kick, executed an effective catch and drive. The hosts illegally interfered with the flow of play and Richard Scull stepped up to make no mistake of Ripon’s first chance of points on the board. The score of 0 – 3 at the start of the second quarter, was a fair indication of the intensity of the game and the determination of both sides to give as little away as possible.

A late flourish saw Ripon step up their game in the last few minutes and gained great possession from destroying two successive home scrums, both chances to score from them however, went begging as the clinical finish just evaded Ripon. The score line remained the same at the half time whistle, with perhaps Ripon feeling more buoyant than their hosts.

The second half started with Stiddard replacing Plant at prop and lasting less than a minute before being yellow-carded for an allegedly dangerous tackle from the kick off. Plant therefore enjoyed an unexpected return to play. Ripon recovered possession from the ensuing penalty and pressed towards the home line. At six minutes into the half, Ripon were gifted a 5 metre scrum and gratefully marched over the line for Marcus Hockey to score his third try in as many games. Scull narrowly missed the conversion attempt.

Roundhegians hit back momentarily on 10 minutes, with a penalty goal, but that was then the closest they came to scoring for the rest of the game.

After a further period of attrition, Ripon put together a dream phase of handling, with Newcombe and Dalby gaining several yards up the middle of the park. Despite perfect handling and an exuberant dive over the line by Dalby, a foot was adjudged to have been in touch at one point in the move and the referee rescinded his awarding of a try to take play back for a home line out.

The next ten minutes saw Ripon intensify their attacks and the hosts stepping up their defence gamely. In the dying moments of the game, a Ripon line out was caught and driven some 30 metres up field before Newcombe broke to release Euan Findlay. Findlay drifted right and then wrong footed the entire opposition by stepping back to the left. With a clear run in he touched down near enough to the posts to gift Scull with an easy conversion.

The game fizzled out after the restart and Roundhegians pressed Ripon as far as their 22, when an injury stopped play and the referee blew for full time. At 3 – 15, perhaps the score didn’t reflect the opportunities that Ripon had to turn possession into points, but another win will continue to boost confidence and help Ripon secure their top four place.

Next week, Ripon take another week off, before entertaining Pontefract at Mallorie Park on 4th March, for what promises to be an interesting encounter, all support welcome as usual and a reminder that kick off will be at 3.00pm from then until the end of the season.