Ripon U14s Flying High

With the airport behind them Ripon U14s were inspired and the back line was flying today.

With a couple of injuries and sickness Ripon visited Yarnbury with just 14 players. The home team very kindly supplied us with an extra player and a big thanks to Sonny who played the first half and Tom in the second half - They both played really well against their own team and it was very much appreciated.

The Yarnbury pack was a big unit and from early on put Ripon under pressure. Ripon found themselves camped on their own line defending like demons with Michael Sorby and George Spink working hard to protect their try line and eventually turning the ball over. A quick pass out to Harry Fern saw him break out of his own 22 and off load to Evan Rees, who continued his impressive record of scoring in every single game this season by out pacing the defence to run in from 60 meters and touch down under the posts. Hamish Mainey kicked the conversion. (0-7)

Minutes later and the backs were off again. Evan Rees handed off two defenders then turned the after burners on to run another try in from inside his own half. Again Hamish Mainey converted. (0-14)

The home team hit back with a try of their own, with their forwards powering over from short range. (5-14)

The forwards worked hard against a bigger pack and secured the ball for the backs again - fast, accurate passing through the line released winger Titus Baker on the Yarnbury 22 and he sped in to score in the corner. (5-19)

Harry Fern was rewarded with a long distance try of his own when fed the ball on the half way line. A good angle of running saw him break through two tackles and then he showed his pace to break away and touch down under the posts. Hamish Mainey converted. (5-26)

Resembling the high scoring six nations matches the day before, Yarnbury secured a well earned try. (10-26)

Half time.

The second half was more of the same a great break from Cole Potts then through the hands to Titus Baker on the wing then back into Harry Fern who got his second. Hamish added the extra points. (10-33)

Again Yarnbury hit back (15-33).

Ripon found themselves just outside the Yarnbury 22 when Cole Potts showed his footwork to beat a number of defenders with an evasive run to score under the posts. Hamish again converted. (15-40)

Evan Rees showed he can defend as well as attack with a try saving tackle, taking the Yarnbury winger out on the corner flag. A lot of pressure from Yarnbury and a couple of penalties 5 meters out were defended well, with new signing Lewis Leonard in his very first game, stepping up and tackling like a pro.

Ripon worked their way back up the field and some great handling yet again through the backs saw prop Michael Sorby looping behind the centres to get the ball and with 60 meters to the line, made sure the backs weren't stealing the show, racing in to touch down under the posts, allowing another conversion to be slotted by Hamish. (15-47)

A fantastic display of tackling by the three quarters and the flankers. A great effort by the pack, with Nathan Fraser hooking well under pressure.

An entertaining game of rugby. Lewis Leonard was voted man of the match and proved an excellent addition to the squad.

Tries:
Evan Rees (2)
Harry Fern (2)
Titus Baker
Cole Potts
Michael Sorby

Conversions:
Hamish Mainey (6)