U13s start 2014 with 11 tries

Ripon U13s started the new year running in 11 tries with a rusty performance against a weakened Selby side.
With about eight squad members missing today, Ripon travelled to Selby, playing on their first team pitch which was in excellent condition.
Possibly a combination of the Christmas break and very cold weather saw some unusually dodgy ball handling from Ripon early on, with a lot of passes going to ground.
However, it was not long into the game before Harry Hill chasing his own kick pressured a Selby player into a mistake attempting to gather the kick. Hill was quick to secure the ball and ran in under the posts.

Following the restart, Michael Sorby had an impressive run down the left hand side of the field and fed Harry Allen, who was stopped 10 yards from the line. Quick ruck ball allowed the backs to spread the ball wide to Connor Stout on the right wing, who stepped inside two defenders to score a good team try.

Soon after, Ben Rutter made a break from just outside the Ripon 22, off loaded to Evan Rees, who made good yardage taking the ball into the Selby half before passing to back row partner Ted Wainwright. Ted also made good ground deep into Selby territory, passing to Harry Hill on his shoulder in close support. Hill raced in from 20 odd meters out to score his second.

Selby were strong in the scum and had some good possession but Ripon's rucking was good and there were a number of turnovers. Connor Stout scored his second after a blistering 40 meter run down the wing and a great step to send the last defender the wrong way.

From the kick off, Soloman Fiengold took the ball well and made a good break before off loading to Ted Wainwright. A beautiful dummy from Wainwright allowed a gap to open in front of him, which he took full advantage of and ran in from a distance to score.

With a number of positional changes and substitutions, there was a period of adjustment but Ripon's next try was pure brilliance. A penalty was given to Ripon just outside the Selby 22. Hamish Mainey took a quick tap then showed his natural talent by having the vision to see the Selby back line weren't spread wide. A precision cross field kick was taken by Titus Baker who gathered the ball and ran in untouched.

The resulting kick off was caught by Oliver Rockey, who showed his speed to also race in untouched from his own half for a great individual try.

The second half saw Selby with more possession than the first and their defence was coming together. Although there was nothing they could do after Ripon moved the ball through the backs to the left wing then back across the field via the forwards, with Evan Rees showing good strength to finish off an exciting passage of play.

The restart was secured by Ripon but some dodgy passing resulted in the ball rolling along the floor to Titus Baker on the wing. Titus showed his speed and good ball skills to fly hack the ball in the direction of the Selby line, beat the defenders to the ball and another two or three well controlled fly hacks to finish with a try.

Titus Baker notched up his hat trick shortly after with another impressive try. The ball was passed through the backs to Titus on the wing inside his own half. He turned on the speed and with a couple of handoffs sped down the wing for his third.

Selby showed great spirit and despite the points difference hit back with two good tries of their own.

The final score of the game came from a tapped penalty inside the Selby 22. Mainey fed Dylan Hudspeth who made good ground. The ball was then moved out to Wainwright who passed it out to Harry Allen. Good footwork and running strength from Allen beat the defence to score.

Tries:
Titus Baker (3)
Connor Stout (2)
Harry Hill (2)
Ted Wainwright
Oliver Rockey
Evan Rees
Harry Allen

Conversions:
Harry Hill (6)