1st XV Match Report Saturday 22nd November 2014

Congratulations to Moortown on the success of the sizeable task they took on this year to re-lay almost the entire field – a sound playing surface and hopefully fit for many years to come. Congratulations to Moortown on creating a playing atmosphere that attracted a fair sized and notably vociferous crowd on the lower touchline to cheer them on to victory despite the distractions Sky Sports had on offer. Congratulations also to Moortown for a comprehensive display of attacking and counter-attacking Rugby, that absorbed everything Ripon had to throw at them and left the Mallorie Parkers thinking about what it takes to win a game.

The score-line did little to credit the enormous effort of the Ripon Squad. In very much a battle of whose Southern Hemisphere signings would do better, the North Leeds outfit showed a consistency in applying pressure and scoring when they needed to. Ripon’s monumental efforts just didn’t pay off however and let the home team run away in the last quarter of the game, to earn a well-deserved bonus point victory, to put them ahead of Ripon in the league table and Ripon closer to the relegation zone.

Ripon for their part, had worked on their scrummage as an area for development and it was instrumental in providing an excellent platform from which to launch several probing attacks. The lineout also operated effectively for the Ripon pack and the stream of first phase possession was more than enough to set the backs running in earnest. Robust defence by Moortown however, saw many attacks thwarted, either through forced errors, or lack of clinical finishing. With Dud Stead leading numerous forward charges, both from the base of the scrum as well as in open play, there was plenty of possession for the likes of heavyweights Plant and Sadler to pick and go from the ensuing rucks.

The first half was pretty evenly matched, with first phase possession moved wide and the two back lines testing each other. First blood went to Moortown with a back-pedalling back row move recovering sufficiently to slip a short pass to their inside centre who steamed in from short range and scattered the defence to put the home team 7 – 0 up within 10 minutes. On the 20 minute mark, Ripon pressed sufficiently to offer perennial half back Bob Whitaker a shot at a penalty goal, which he added effortlessly. Moortown took the initiative from then and on the half hour, scored a further try to take the lead further.
Just before the stroke of half time, a scintillating break by veteran full back Jason Bell, put Joe Duffield away for an almost certain score. His opposite winger had other thoughts and not only caught him up, but tackled him in such a way as to prevent the touch down that would have meant so much to Ripon at that point of the game.

In the second half, the Ripon forwards shouldered significant responsibility to take the game to Moortown and their driving surges pinned the home side in their own 22 metre area for a good twenty minutes in the second half. They just simply couldn’t score however and when a 5 metre scrum opportunity was offered, Moortown took the ball against the head and that was probably the last of the Ripon threats.

Through patience and determination throughout their team, Moortown soaked up the Ripon attacks and probed back to expose defensive gaps and exploit their all-round faster pace and finishing. Three second half tries, one of which was converted, to no reply, sealed an emphatic victory for Moortown and a significant challenge for Ripon.

As we move towards the end of the month, this Saturday heralds 25 shopping days left until Christmas, the grand final of the Ripon RFC Movember Challenge, in which the hairy and un-hairy will stand shoulder to shoulder and be judged for their charity fundraising efforts; oh and we also host Old Rishworthians for what promises to be a lively exchange on the pitch. Another Southern Hemisphere battle, this time between South Africa and Fiji. At international level, we all know which way this one would go. On a foggy day in North Yorkshire, it’s simply a matter of who wants victory more. All pitch-side supporters will be most welcome to cheer on our boys in what is fast becoming not just a relegation battle, but one of pride and commitment. Be there for the excellent pre-match hospitality hosted by Mike Allen and his team and then be there for Ripon Rugby Club 1st XV and let’s cheer them on to victory. Team meet is 1.00pm, kick off 2.15pm.