U18s Match Report - Ripon vs Wharfedale (H)

A good win in a hard fought game for the U18s Academy at home to Wharfedale. Always a close game and with the opposition making an early break-through against the run of play Ripon had to work hard for their win. Captain James Willis levelled the score, reacting quickest to Wharfes lack of numbers at the breakdown to pick and go straight down the middle from the twenty-two.

Sam Pillar hit the conversion. Wharfedale crept back in front with a penalty before Luke Ratcliff went over in the corner to make it 12-10. The visitors again struck back with a try just before half time. After the break Ripon played some of their best rugby, the backs moving the ball very well and had great chances which eventually led to a try from Jack Baldwin in the corner again. Playing good phased rugby Ripon gave themselves some breathing space with two tries from the forwards, first Prop Rob Heaton and then second row Josh Spear going over from close in. Sam put over another conversion to make it 29-15.

With time running out Ripon where perhaps guilty of switching off and with the last move of the game gifted Wharfedale a try with a series of missed tackles which could have proved costly.

Final score Ripon 29 Wharfedale 20. Things are really coming together, squad numbers are good, training is going well, and the team are benefiting from the input of not only the Academy coaches but also Pete Taylor, and Tom Gilchrist from the Seniors.