Keighley 2xv

For the first time this season Ripon were playing at Home v Keighley 2s. Debuts were made by Baker and Cleary as well as an appearance from former player Jim Calveley.

Ripon kicked off the game playing towards the cricket pitch. An incredible take by Ben Pilling allowed the home side to retrieve the ball and set off an immediate attack.

After pining Keighley in their 22 for a sustained period, Dom Butler scored the 1st try of the game in the corner. The conversion was missed.

From the restart Ripon worked their way up the field once again, with strong runs from Cleary and Oates. From a good backs move, Cleary managed to scythe his way through a number of tackles and score his 1st try for the 2XV. The conversion was again missed.

Keighley then came back into the game and scored a try from a lineout. This was actually from a lineout steal by Oates! The ball bounced straight into the Keighley player’s hands and he was able to stroll over the line from 10m. The try was also converted.

Ripon then started to play some decent rugby, with forwards making incisive runs from the rucks and the backs using their well rehearsed moves. Keighley then conceded a penalty in front of the posts after a period of sustained pressure. Richard Hooks managed to get this one (Unlike Dan Watson at Yarnbury!).

The half finished off with Tom Cleary scoring his 2nd try of the game.

HT 18-7

In the 2nd Half Ripon brought on all their subs with Tom Graham fitting into the Centre (Literally!), Calveley at No8. Stringer also appeared for the 2XV as he had failed to get to the 1st team game after a late night at Twickenham!

Ripon now dominated the rest of the game. Baker producing some sublime box kicking and Hooks ensuring that the home side was always playing in Keighley’s half.

Keighley still battered away at the home side but found a strong defence too hard to break through. This proved the case when the away side tried to make their way over the try line from a penalty 5m out. In hindsight if they had gone to the corner and used their effective catch and drive they would of probably scored.

To sum up the rest of the scoring, Cleary scored another 4 try’s (Could have had 7 in total!) and Hooks converting 4.

FT 48-7

This was an excellent win for a very strong Ripon 2XV. Mentions must go to Elliot Oates for his leadership in the Lineout and Iain Barker for just being a nuisance. Jack Baker had a storming game at 9 and Cleary must have had the best 2XV debut that a player has had in years. I also must mention Richard Hooks who controlled the backline as well as actually tackling like a back row forward!

Next game is in 2 weeks is another merit fixture at home to Leeds Medics.