Taking to the road for the second time this summer, Ripon’s doughty Sevens Squad met at dawn at Mallorie Park for the short hop over to Wharfedale to participate in the Ilkley Sevens. With a keen squad of 14 players, combining the youthful exuberance of Colts Dijon and Luke, with the experience of combat veterans of the likes of Tom Graham and Skipper James Pearce, The Blues, erm Pinks… set off with nothing but glory in mind. The ranks of the squad were swelled during the day, as well wishers and associates jostled to get a piece of the Ripon action and pull on the fancy new Sevens Kit generously sponsored by CCC.

With delays acquiring the minibus and accessing the Stack’s Field Sports Ground the tension mounted with less than half an hour before the first game kicked off. Unfazed by the pressure, Manager Stodds and Kit Man Patts, took control of the situation, got the gazebo erected, kit distributed and warm up started within moments. All in the dreich weather conditions, which miserably lasted the whole day, but failed to put a dampener on the squad’s spirit.

Game One: Ripon v Old Grovian’s 3rds
Suitably warmed, stretched and motivated, Ripon took to the field on time against the third string social side of tournament favourites OG’s. In a one-sided first half, Ripon showed pace and commitment to retain possession well and tries followed regularly from Tom Graham and two from Morgan Clark. Unfortunately Clarky Jnr left his kicking boots at home and all three went unconverted for a 15 – 0 half time lead.

OG’s forced themselves back into the game in the second period and started to put together some strong phases and pressure. Breaking out of defence, Ollie L-B almost made it to the line with a kick-chase but was cynically brought down off the ball. The penalty try gave The Pinks a seemingly unassailable lead of 22 – 0 but the opposition dug deep to counter attack. A converted and unconverted try for OG’s enable them to finish with some credit and the final scoreline of 22 – 12 flattered them somewhat, but gave Ripon the necessary boost to start their day.

Game Two: Ripon v Flotilla
After a nearly two hour lay-up, Ripon took to the field again and faced the unknown quantity of a scratch invitation side put together by tournament sponsors Flotilla. In a much closer game against sterner and less sociable opposition, Ripon slugged it out in a tough first half to draw 5 – 5, Harry Veitch crossing the line after some impressive support play. The second half was just as intense, with both sides struggling to master the increasingly slippery conditions. A further unconverted try from Gibbo looked enough to seal it for Ripon but the opposition regained the lead with a converted try for a tantalising 10 – 12. Despite an epic break out by Pearce, which faltered just short of the line, that’s where the score stayed and Ripon succumbed to their first defeat of the day.

Game Three: Ripon v Canny Lads
The most readily forgettable of the day’s five games, in which The Pinks just didn’t get going against a spirited and fit North Eastern outfit. Going down by six tries and a conversion to a solo effort of a solitary try and conversion from Archie Roberts, this was not Ripon’s finest 15 minutes with a final score of 7 - 32. With one win from three games, Ripon eagerly awaited judgement as to whether the Plate competition beckoned, or whether an early bath and an afternoon of watching others play was indicated. News soon arrived that confirmed a place in the plate quarter finals to be played after a further lengthy gap.

Game Four: Ripon v Toucans (Plate QF)
Bouncing back heartily and with the prospect of some silverware, Ripon threw themselves into this match with gusto. Tries came from Ollie L-B, Gibbo, Clark and Graham for an emphatic first half lead of 20 – 0, with still no luck with conversions. How difficult can it be to drop kick a conversion from in front of the posts…

The second half saw Toucans reply with one unconverted try and then two counters from Pearce and Moon. Archie Roberts added the icing on the cake starting the try of the day. After turning over a Toucan attack on the Ripon line, Roberts broke free to kick ahead. Mountford and Kendall chased to pick up the ball in the opposition 22 and Roberts was on hand to unselfishly feed Kendal to dot down for the final score and an emphatic 35 – 5 win for The Pinks.

Game Five: Ripon v Ilkley Baa Baas (Plate SF)
Buoyed by their success in the quarter final, Ripon approached this game with a more serious attitude and with the glory of at least a place in the final looming aimed to give this game their best shot. In an evenly matched first half, Ripon managed an Ollie L-B try converted by Cooper to level the scores after an early Ilkley converted try to turnaround 7 – 7 at half time.

The second half saw catastrophe strike after L-B was yellow carded for a harmless misunderstanding, or was it an armless tackle? The player short, gifted Ilkley the space they needed to gain the lead with a penalty try a converted and unconverted try. Some solace was gained from a late try by Gibbo converted by Cooper to make the final score more respectable at 14 – 26.

A sad exit after a long day on the saddle, but a strong show of resilience, ambition and commitment to keep going. With Tom Graham voted Most Valuable Player of the day and this squad largely available for the next two weekends, this bodes well for a decent outcome for Ripon as they host next week’s second Ripon 7’s Festival.

Some notes of thanks: to Stodds for being the driving force behind the whole venture; to Fletch for driving the minibus – careful this could become patternable behaviour; to Pearcey for his driven leadership on and off the pitch and finally to Madders for driving everyone crazy!