Match Report Saturday14th November 2015 - Ripon 2xv - Ripon Rugby Union Football Club

Ripon 2nd team travelled to Old Rishworthians on a wet and rainy Saturday morning with the weather only getting worse as we headed south. After a warm reception in a very nice new clubhouse the team prepared for a cold and muddy game. With the 2nd team captain, Andy Williamson, having been called up to the 1st team the honours fell to Iain Barker to lead the squad.

Ripon started very determined and after some strong carries by the forwards Jack Stiddard powered over for the first try, duly converted by Patrick Whitaker whose kicking success rate is now approaching 90%. The restart saw Ripon attacking with a combination of forwards and backs which eventually found Jason Bell diving over the line in the corner to put Ripon 12:0 up after 8 minutes. The mud and rain worsened as the game went on and except for some strong defence from Old Rish and some handling errors, Ripon should have been up by a few more. A 3rd try from the captain Iain Barker, converted again by Patrick Whitaker after 20 minutes took the score to 19:0. Old Rish showed a lot of grit and determination to battle back despite conditions and had a few chances before a very well worked try following a lineout lead them to score in the corner. Half time score 19:5.

The second half turned into battle of the forwards as both teams realised that conditions did not suit fast running and quick hands. With 15 minutes left Old Rish spotted the Ripon line had come flat and kicked over the top. The chase ended up with ball stopping suddenly in the mud before Old Rish dribbled it over the line to dive on it – just one of those things that happens in rugby on a wet and muddy day. This was followed with a very well taken conversion from out wide to take the score to 19:12. Old Rish now had their tails up and momentum was slowly swinging their way. It was now a time for the old heads within the team to step up. Leading by example Jason Bell, Iain Barker and Kier Walker took control and settled the Ripon team despite a resurgent Old Rish. With 5 minutes to go Patrick Whitaker converted a penalty to take the lead to 10 points and a little breathing space. Old Rish never gave up and except for a foot in touch in the dying seconds could have scored in the corner after a strong attack. With the temperature dropping and rain increasing the referee blew the final whistle with the score at 22:12 to Ripon.

Man of the match was awarded to Jack Stiddard after a strong performance both scrummaging and making good yards carrying into contact. Debuts by Daz Sidwell at fullback, Issac Arnold at centre and Matty Maguire at hooker shows an increasing squad of players all pushing to improve and challenge for 1st team honours. After a mini tour of Yorkshire and four away games in a row Ripon 2nd team are looking forward to a home fixture against Cleckheaton next week in what will be another hard and competitive contest.