Ripon U18 v West Park Leeds at Home by Gavin Barrett

[centre]Match report for Ripon u18s – 3rd December 2017

Ripon u18 girls hosted West Park Leeds at Mallorie Park in only their third game of the season, where West Park brought a number of county players and were looking to test themselves against Ripon’s developing U18s.
The test began with Ripon’s forwards continually driving into the heart of West Park to gain field position just outside the visitors 22, when the switch to the back line brought early success. Quick ball off the ruck from scrum half Abi Loval through the quick hands of fly half Alice Mann brought Kathryn Barrett crashing into the game at inside centre where the directness and power of the midfield run shattered West Parks defence and the white wash was crossed under the sticks.
The next phase of the game was bruising as the visitors looked to stamp their authority on the game. Repeated assaults were repelled by strong Ripon forward play, and aggressive defence from our backs. Alicia Mawer and Helen Elsworth led in the pack as they worked hard to turn over West Park ball, and when this came the speed and power of Ripon’s backs was telling. Alice’s speed and lines of running caused problems for WP which created space for Maddie Wright and Lucy Verity on the wings, after great handling through the midfield of Kathryn and Lauryn Corbett. Clever combinations of forward and back play again created field position for Ripon, and after repeated drives had sucked in WPs defence, Kathryn struck again, running hard around ragged defenders to score.
The game now became attritional as the visitors looked to up their game. Heavy carries from WP brought aggressive defence from Ripon and within 5 minutes WP were reduced by 2 players through injury. Ripon evened the sides back up by lending players and credit to Maddie, Lucy and Lotty Jones who all stood up and took turns at donning West Parks kit for the remainder of the game.
Ripon conceded in the next phase after WP cleverly worked a position which left Ripon sort of numbers out wide and West Parks speedy centre arched around the last defender and scored under the posts.
Ripon’s response was immediate. Destructive forward runs through Olivia Ward and Holly Topping repeatedly punched holes and broke the gain line, which allowed Nicole Webster, Helen and Alicia to set up quick ruck ball, which was again distributed effectively from Abi at scrum half. Pace and power from Alice resulted in 5 further points as she hit a hard line and punctured the WP defence.

Half time brought respite for West Park and they came out strongly in the second half. Ripon had to defend for long periods and tired legs resulted in West Park crossing twice for 2 tries. Further problems mounted for Ripon as Helen took a bad knock to the neck which saw an end to Helens combative game. Ripon were under heavy pressure from West Park and against the run of play a beautifully timed pass to Lauryn at full speed was a heart breaker for West Park as they had to watch Lauryn cover half the length of the pitch and touch down under the posts. A nice drop kick from Abi converted the score.
The remainder of the game ebbed and flowed but whereas Ripon’s defence held fast, West Parks was breached twice more. A carbon copy of Lauryn’s first try was mirrored when a superb line at ferocious pace opened the defence once again and a run half the length of the pitch led to 5 points. The last score highlighted the pace and power of Ripon’s backs which had been the telling edge through the match. Alice hurtled onto a deft pass from Abi and the line took her through the West Park line again. The only person close to Alice as she crossed the white wash was Kathryn in support.

Ripon’s defence was tenacious as well as brutal, and this was exemplified by a tackle from Lucy which shook the posts at both ends of the pitch. The winces from the side line said it all. Grit and determination from the Ripon forwards allowed their backs to unleashed pace, power and precision. Grit and determination shown in spades by Holly who put in a great shift.
Aggression, beauty, determination, skill, pace, power – all on show in this great performance from Ripon u18 girls.