Academy move into YC round 3

Sandal had the lion's share of possession at the start with a couple of well placed kicks pinning Ripon inside their own 22.
Despite a period of ferocious tackling from the likes of Charlie Britton and Harry Smith the Sandal 10 broke through to give the visitors an early lead, only 7 minutes into the game and Ripon found themselves 7 points down having barely touched the ball.
Ripon responded in the best way possible. Following the restart a Sandal lineout went astray with Ben Borchard stealing the ball. A couple of forward drives then slick passing to the right wing before coming back again to the left saw Oliver Williams dive over to finish a good team effort and close the score to 5-7 on 10 minutes.
After quarter of an hour of close fought rugby the Sandal hooker was shown a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle.
Miles Naylor came within inches of scoring, chasing a long kick ahead but the dead ball line denied him.
Just before the return of the carded opposition, Ripon made them pay. The Sandal 10 threw a very early dummy that Luke Ratcliff was never going to buy and put a crunching tackle in, allowing the turnover. Britton left a few bodies in his wake before the ball was moved wide and Connor Eddleston popped up in the centre to touch down for Ripon's second. Williams converted and the tide had turned with the home side 12-7 up after 21 minutes.
A few minutes later Sandal clawed back with a penalty kick (12-10) but unknown to them that was to be their last score for some time.
With 10 minutes left of the first half Ripon secured a free kick due to an early jump by the Sandal forwards in the lineout. It was quickly taken by Hamish Mainey and spun wide right through the back line to Evan Rees who beat his man then stepped the fullback to cross for Ripon's third. Oliver Williams converted (19-10).
Sandal responded well and had a period of pressure with linouts and scrums 5 meters out from the Ripon line. Outstanding defence from Ripon not only kept them out but pushed the attackers backwards until the visitors made a mistake and a long clearance kick relived the pressure.
To add salt to the wound the Sandal 10 was yellow carded for repeated offside and Oliver Williams slotted the penalty ending the half 22-10.

Ben Taylor replaced Hamish Mainey, Sam Headford replaced Ben Borchard and Jack Whincup replaced Miles Naylor to start the second half.
Similar to the first half Ripon were under pressured in their own 22 for nearly 10 minutes before a lovely break from Connor Eddleston, who beat a couple of players with footwork then beat the last defender with a well timed pass to Sam Headford, who showed good speed to run it in from the half way line. Williams converted (29-10)
Some more changes then with Dylan Hudspeth replacing Charlie Britton and Henry Calvert replacing Michael Sorby.
48 minutes into the game and a penalty kick to touch rewarded Will Smith for all his hard work at the back of the scrum when he took the ball to crash over.
Minutes later and Ripon scored again with a great team effort. Henry Calvert dived on a loose ball Robert Heaton sealed off and prevented a strong counter ruck, Ben Taylor fired it wide to the back line. Some crisp passing gave Evan Rees a bit of space and he ran the try in from half way. Another Williams conversion (41-10).
Unfortunately Jack Baldwin had to leave the field injured. Ben Borchard returned as his replacement.
Henry Calvert was involved again shortly afterwards but this time it was to receive a yellow card for kicking the ball in the ruck (one of this seasons law changes).
Although being down a man Ripon scored again - Another break from Connor Eddleston had the line at his mercy with about 35 meters to go but despite his best efforts at handing off, a Sandal defender snagged him just short of the line but he managed a beautiful off load out the back to the ever supporting Sam Headford who finished with the score. Williams converted (48-10).
With 10 minutes left to play Mainey returned to replace Ratcliff.
There was a consolation try for the visitors but it was Ripon who finished strongly with considerable pressure from the forwards but being held up on the line at the final whistle.

An impressive performance in both defence and attack by the whole squad.