Ripon 2xv v Selby 2xv

The first league game of the season was always going to be a tough match against a seasoned team like Selby and so it proved to be. With a number of players being pulled up to the first team at the last minute left the new skipper, Richard Hooks, and vice, Craig Wolloms with some quick reorganising to do before kick off. Up stepped Billy Burgin to hooker, Josh Finkill to second row and Justin Kirby to back row.

The game started at a very fast pace with both teams keen to take control. The competitiveness of all the players lead to a number of early mistakes and a rapidly increasing penalty count. Capitalised by Selby going ahead after 20 minutes to put them 3:0 up. Selby's midfield defence was strong all game and it took a kick over the top to set Elliot Fearn through to chase down and score in the 30th minute. His second try of the day followed quickly after a blind side move off a scrum outnumbered the defence for him to drive over in the corner. This simple rugby and fast hands was very much appreciated by the Ripon spectators who came out in force to show their support. With 5 minutes to go in the half the skipper had to be taken off with a head injury and was replaced by Ken Davies who managed to get down after a late call up.

Although the second half started 10:3 to Ripon it was Selby who came out firing, scoring a converted try within minutes of the restart. In a bid to keep the penalty count down Ripon changed its tactics and put less players into the rucks and concentrated on its defence and attacking speed. This started to pay off with more time being played in the Selby half. With Richard Hooks off the kicking duties fell to Bob Whitaker who converted a penalty to nudge Ripon ahead after 53 minutes. On the 60th minute James Blood, having stepped in at No10, put in a delicious chip over an advancing defensive line for Elliot Fearn to catch on the full and offload to Harry Cleary to score, a move that had been perfected on the training ground in pre-season. Sometimes training does work! Once again Bob Whitaker stepped up to convert to make the score 20:10. Selby once again raised their game and it took some strong tackling and structured defence to hold them out. By this time the pace of the game was starting to tell and after a flowing move by the Ripon backs from within their own half then put Harry Cleary away to score his seconds try of the game, converted by Bob Whitaker. Kieron Robson came on with 10 minutes to go for his debut senior game. The last 5 minutes of the game consisted of Ripon playing territorial rugby to try and keep Selby as far away as possible from its try line, showing that Ripon players have learnt how to close a game out.

Final score 27:10.

The Selby players are a great bunch of lads who will undoubtedly win a lot more games this season by the performance today. A special thank you to the Selby physio who helped out with a number of Ripon injuries throughout the game.

A big thanks to Tony Chapman who put his boots on just in case and gave some experienced advice to players at critical moments in the game. A number of outstanding performances today, Ken Davies who steadied the game and showed he still has it, Sam Duffield at No8 who controlled the scrum all day and put in some big tackles, Mark Greenwood who was solid in the scrum and was all over any loose ball, Jack Newby for so many turnovers in the ruck and Man of the Match Scott Christy for running a dominate lineout.

Next week sees the seconds off to Bradford & Bingley which will be another though game. Players are encouraged to let Andy Williamson know of their availability, via Facebook or direct, and to continue to get down to train. A good start to the season and shows what Ripon 2nds are capable of if we train and commit.