Not one of Ripon’s better performances recently and certainly not one with which to sustain the winning streak. This week Ripon entertained a strong Moortown side at Mallorie Park and succumbed to their greater all round power and expansive style of play. Up against it in the scrum again and with only a decently working line out from which to launch first phase attacks, Ripon were starved of sufficient ball to make a real difference to the game. What ball they did get was often squandered by Ripon as passes went astray or possession was lost in the tackle.

That said, it was not all gloom for Ripon, with a sparkling performance by Jimmy McDaniel at Scrum Half, a welcome return to Scott McAra, to bring some composure to the back line and a very welcome return to Prop Dom Dalby to beef up the scrum in the second half. Sterling performances came again from Euan Findlay, disruptive as ever and Mark Spilman, who tackled ferociously all day.

The first half started well, with both sides sounding each other out and Moortown eager to exploit their immediately apparent dominance of the scrum. Some testing breaks came from Bell and Harrison, but it was Moortown who were first on the scoreboard after 11 minutes after their Right Wing came in on a fine line to score under the posts. The Moortown Fly Half add the first of his five conversions in what was the start of a fine display of his mastery of all aspects of the game. A great asset to Moortown and one to watch.

The rest of the first half was more of the same. Two Moortown tries came from penalty kicks to touch, followed by routine line out catch and drives. An area that Ripon have struggled to defend against or use effectively for themselves. Their other try from close support in open play. In danger of opening the floodgates, Ripon closed down the remaining few minutes of the half and restricted the visitors to their bonus point earning four tries and turn around 0 – 28.

The second half was much more evenly matched as Ripon were better organised in defence and established some continuity in possession and ball retention. The scrum eventually calmed down for Ripon and McDaniel was able to make some breaks and set the back line running. Alas, too many handling errors saw passes overrun or go to ground and a number of scoring chances went begging. At 13 minutes into the second half, Moortown broke the deadlock with a passage of inter-passing up the middle of the pitch, for a further converted try. The next few minutes were all Ripon, with some intense pressure on the visitors, forcing them to defend comprehensively.

At 35 minutes a Ripon line out was won and out of nowhere, Euan Findlay appeared screaming down the touchline to outpace the Winger in a 40 metre dash to touch down in the corner. Tom Leeming stepped up to calmly stroke the conversion over from the touchline.

No further scores came from either side and Ripon prepared to work harder and more consistently for the remaining three games of the season.

Next week sees Ripon travelling to Old Rishworthians, in what promises to be an exciting encounter against their multi-national line up. All support welcome, team meet at Ripon at 12.30pm.