1st XV Match Report - Saturday 11th March 2017

As divisional champions and on the way to Yorkshire One, one might expect Moortown to deliver a convincing display of “Total Rugby”, but they didn’t. With 21 wins this season to date, one might think that Moortown were infallible, but they weren’t. With a massive positive points difference of nearly 700, one might think that a team scoring on average 40 points a game, might dominate every phase of play, but they didn’t.

A controversial start and not intended to be provocative, but credit where it is due. Moortown defeated Ripon by a clear 10 tries to a solitary penalty goal and showed a level of pace and fitness that Ripon simply couldn’t live with. Moortown will of course be forensically analysing their performance to ensure that their last few league games go to plan and they appropriately prepare for life in the next division up the ladder. We sincerely wish them well and hope that their success as a club and a playing side takes them to where they want to be.

One might think it difficult to recall many, if any positives from such a crushing defeat, but the Ripon playing squad and coaching team must take heart from putting in sufficient commitment throughout the season, to sustain a consistent place in the top half of the division and still remain in the highest position at this point than in many recent years. Consistency this season has been key and trust and confidence in a smaller band of committed players than in previous seasons has yielded positive results on the field. The old adage: “The harder you practice, the luckier you get” has paid off this season overall. Compared to pleas to the entire club in the last three years at this point, in order to save the side from relegation, this feels an ok place to be. Not exactly comfortable, as with only two sides at best available to play, Ripon needs more bodies to fill the playing ranks and keep up the good work this season has seen.

Apart from the 10 tries score by Moortown, only half of which were converted, Ripon managed a 5th minute penalty goal from Richard Scull. This was shortly after the hosts opened the scoring with a converted try in less than two minutes.

Ripon were determined to play an expansive game and using the huge pitch to exploit the strength of their backs, attempted many creative moves in the first few minutes. However, the home team had the same idea and by using superior pace and eliminating handling errors, were able to notch up the four try bonus point within 20 minutes.

It wasn’t however, all Moortown and the Ripon players must take heart from the strength of their scrum again, the great competition in the line out, particularly through Jonty Lister and the number of turnovers in loose play, due to Euan Findlay and Harry Scurr. The whole Ripon pack put in a workmanlike performance and slogged away for a full 80 minutes.

The Ripon back line tried everything in their repertoire to break through, but the home defence held solid. Even with a home player sin-binned, Ripon were unable to make any points advantage from the power play. Ripon did however spend a lot of time pressing the defence and for many phases of play, came so close to scoring. Indeed for 15 minutes in the first half and 20 in the second, Ripon prevented Moortown from scoring and that is testament to the side’s ability to adjust its game plan and play to its strengths.

McAra and Scull at half back, did wonders to keep Ripon going forwards, through cheeky breaks and sniping kicks. Seal was instrumental in making breaks through the centre and Audsley-Beck looked dangerous again with ball in hand a space to run into. The home defence organisation however, effectively shut out all of Ripon’s advances and apart from the penalty goal, kept a clean sheet.

There isn’t much more to say apart from; if a blow by bow account is needed for the Moortown tries, visit their website and see how they report events. For Ripon; no disgrace, the better team won and Ripon continue their journey of getting organised, developing strength in depth and providing enjoyable Rugby for people of all ages and abilities.

Next week, Ripon take another week off from league duties and return to the fray for a home game hosting Old Crossleyans on 25th March. All support welcome as usual, kick off at 3.00pm.