Game of 2 halfs!

This week Ripon 2xv travelled to Castleford for a friendly. With a strong line up containing 7 of last years regular 1st team, the 2s were in a confident mood. In came Mark Sadler, Kier Walker, Jason Bell, Mark Spilman and Charlie Yates.

Castleford kicked off the game and and Ripon immediately caught the ball and set up a ruck. The ball was then shifted through numerous hands to gain territory which eventually lead to the home side giving away penalties for high tackles and not rolling away. From such a penalty, the ball was kicked to the corner. From a good line out throw by Mark Sadler, Will Swires managed to claim the ball and start a drive. Ripons pack then drove the opposition back 5m before the ball was released to the backs. Quick hands from the backs found outside centre Elliot Fern , who managed to score a good try whilst evading a couple of tackles. Conversion was missed. 5-0.

Again from the kick off Ripon exerted pressure on the home side. With quick ball from the ruck, Elliot Fern managed to score his second try of the game. Conversion missed. 10- 0

On 18 minutes a penalty for another high tackle was then awarded to Ripon near the 22 just in front of the posts. Patrick Whitaker converted this to make it 13 -0 after 18 minutes.

What happened next was a bit of a mystery. The home side after nearly 30 mins play, managed to get into Ripons half for probably the first time of the game. From a pick and drive, the ball was then put through the hands and a try scored under the posts. The referee did have a hand in this, as he blocked Andrew Williamson from making the tackle. To be fair to the ref, did apologize and offered to buy me a drink! (I never got one!). Conversion was successful. 13-7

Ripon then brought on Jack Burton for Andrew Williamson and Will Conor for Charlie Yates. Castleford now realised that their strength was with their pack, and started to pick and drive at will. Ripon did not cope well with this and struggled to get off the line quick enough to stop theri momentum. Also for some unknown reason they started to try and match Castlefords big pack by mauling everything. This caused a lot of turnovers as the maul was stopped and the put in to the scrum given to the home side. Castleford pounced on the mistakes from Ripon to work their way up the field. quick hands by the Castleford backs allowed them to go over near the posts on the stroke of Halftime. The conversion was successful. 13-14.

Strong words were said by veteran Jason Bell and Mark Spilman, hoping to wake up the young Ripon side from its slumber. On came Charlie Yates to Flanker and Callum Findlay also moved from the wing to the backrow. However Ripon forgot what was said and again started to try and match Castlefords pack when it would of been better to give the live wire backs the ball. Immediatelyt from kick off a Castleford player managed to break through the defence and score in the corner. The conversion was missed. 13-19.

On 50 minutes Andrew Williamson came back on for Jack Burton. Within minutes, a 22m dropout from Patrick Whittaker was caught by the Castleford winger who outpaced Mark Sadler (believe it or not!) and Will Conor to score out wide. Conversion was successful. 13-26.

After some harsh words from Andrew Williamson, Ripon then started to play smartly. Quick tap penalties were given to the backs to run and line outs were no longer being mauled. This allowed Ripon to continually push Castleford back into their own half. From a quick tap penalty, the ball was shifted to the wing where Will Conor (now on the wing) went over in the corner. Conversion missed. 18-26.

After 72 mins a Castleford player (This must of been the 6th Castleford player who got injured!) hurt his knee and an Ambulance was called. The game was ended early and both team went back to the changing rooms.

Credit must go to Castleford who used their pack well and deserved the win. However this again was a close game where Ripon could of won, if only they had stuck to the game plan and given the ball to the backs to score the points. Special mention must go to Elliot Fern for his 2 trys and Charlie Yates for his energy and for playing hooker at the end (new position for you Charlie!).

All at Ripon hope the injured Castleford player is well and playing soon.

Quote of the day (from a Castleford Player) when the ball was kicked by their number 10 over our deadball line from the their 22.

" We gained some territory now boys!" WOW

Next week is another friendly versus York 3s away.

MOM Charlie Yates