In slippery conditions underfoot and with an end to end breeze, this fixture looked to be dominated by forward effort and opportunist breaks by both sides. What actually happened was a first half display of almost “Total Rugby” from a lively and well drilled West Leeds side. Ripon, with some tweaks from last week’s game, never really got into the groove and despite an early arrival and sound pre-match preparation, could not match the opposition in any department.

West Leeds pressed from the kick off and Ripon’s reception and counter attack attempts floundered to the extent that after seven minutes they were still in their own 22 metre area and conceded a penalty, which allowed the home side to open the scoreboard. That was to be the tale of the first half in general, with Ripon only venturing into the home team’s half on four occasions, three of which were in response to forlornly and ineffectively chased restarts after West Leeds scores. The home team cleverly exploited the wind and rain and a barely perceptible slope, to use probing attacks to pin Ripon in their own 22 metre area for long stretches. Ripon’s back line defended resolutely in open play and the forwards closed down the closer attacking options. However, with a scrum under serious pressure and a hit and miss line out, Ripon lived off scraps for much of the half and didn’t really string together many phases of play. With no option but to pick and go from a back-pedalling scrum, skipper Newcombe bravely and frequently led by example and made some hard yards in trying to counter attack. Unfortunately his support was too often too little, too late and so the pressure told. West Leeds added to their points score at 13 minutes with another penalty goal and were unfortunate to miss another shortly afterwards. At the 32 minute mark a text book line out catch and drive from West Leeds saw them trundle in from 15 metres out to extend their lead by a further converted try. Ripon’s last ditch response from the restart was to press the home team into a couple of errors, which gave Davey the opportunity to open the scoring for Ripon. Unfortunately the hooked kick signalled the end of the half and some hope for Ripon to pick things up from 13 – 0 down at the break.

Seemingly unable to gain any advantage from the weather or ground conditions, Ripon spent most of the second half defending again, with rare opportunities to venture into the opposition’s territory. Vulnerable at the scrum, Ripon conceded a penalty after only 6 minutes to give West Leeds the ascendancy again. Two more converted tries from the home side followed to seal Ripon’s fate. The only high spot was on the 28 minute mark when Ripon strung together sufficient momentum to have an attacking line out 10 metres from the home line. For once everything went according to plan and Skipper Adam Newcombe powered over for Ripon’s only try of the game, with Ken Davey adding the conversion.

Ripon took to the field with three under 18s and three under 20s in the side. A sound testament to the Club’s succession planning philosophy, but also a big ask of a relatively high number of inexperienced players at this level. Notable on his debut late in the second half was Tom Stringer, who punched well above his weight in all exchanges. Enthusiasm and commitment play a big part in Ripons’ resurgence this season, as well as the support, commitment and fitness of the more experienced players. There are no easy games in this Division and the Club takes each one as it comes in the hope that incremental improvements will increase the playing performance and league standing. A shaky start to the season admittedly, but also an indication that the Club is willing to take risks, invest in its youth and its future and look towards long term stability.

Ripon enjoy home advantage this week by playing host to old adversaries West Park Leeds on Saturday 27th September. The game kicks off at 3.00pm and all support is very welcome.