Ripon 2vx this week entertained Pocklington Panthers in a Friendly. The team was practically the same as last week, with the addition of some new players. In came George Foster (after a long injury lay off), Craig Sykes, James McDaniel and Ben Winn (debut after seeing the light and joining from York 3xv!).

The game started with Ripon kicking towards the cricket pitch in what can only be described as horrendous conditions. The home side found themselves on the front foot for the first 15 minutes, winning scrums against the head as well as using forward runners to gain territory. Unfortunately the during the remaining 25 minutes of the half Pocklington showed that they were not going to be an easy side to play against. With some old heads (Ex 1st xv players from when I last played Pock!) leading the way, Pock managed to score 3 trys from close range. None of which were converted. The majority of the play was centered around a muddy patch in the middle of the field, with neither team being able to gain any momentum in attack. Halftime came with the score being 15-0 to Pock.

This was not looking great for Ripon, but with the introduction of a strong subs bench the tie started to swing back to the home side. The majority of play was now in Pocklington's half, with scrums being won with ease and some good tactical kicking from Patrick Whitaker and Jack Baker keeping the away side pinned in their 22.

From a 5m Scrum, Ripon shoved their opponent back with ease. Pock tried to combat this by splintering their front row so that Ripon had nothing to push against. However the referee didn't like this and awarded a penalty try on 55 minutes which was converted by James McDaniel to make the score 7-15.

George Foster was then introduced in place of Patrick Whitaker on 57 minutes. Almost immediately he raced down the wing and kicked the ball towards the try line. Luckily Ben Pilling was on hand to touch the ball down in the corner. Conversion was missed. 12-15

The next score was from an excellent move started once again by George Foster who released Craig Sykes to go through 4 would be tacklers to score a try underneath the posts from the halfway line. Conversion was once again successful by James McDaniel. 19-15

With time running out a penalty was awarded to Ripon in front of the posts. Captain for the day Craig Wolloms elected for the kick and James McDaniel successfully converted the penalty. FT 22-15

This was a hard fought victory, which showed that the confidence is there for the side to overturn any deficit. Jack Stiddard had another good game, gaining metres at will and Kier Walker showed the way forward from the back of the scum.

After 4 wins from 5 games, Ripon 2s next week return to Merit League action when they travel to play Bradford Salem 2xv. With players returning selection will be a headache for the manager!

MOM - Kier Walker