U14s slow to wake up

With half the team being away on a school residential all this week, combined with the clocks going forward and an early start for a long journey it appeared that many of Ripon U14s were mentally still tucked up in bed for the first 10 minutes of today's game.

We arrived at Malton to find we were the only team there today and therefore on the first team pitch and with the pick of the changing rooms. Malton however suffered from a few late call offs and only had 12 players.
Riley Tuley gallantly offered his services for the home team and it was agreed to play 13 a side without flankers.

Within 10 minutes Ripon were under their posts 3 times, conceding 19 points with some lazy tackling attempts and it was looking ominous.

With the lads shuffling a few positions, it was time to wake up and Evan Rees opened the Ripon account with a try under the posts.
Hamish Mainey converted (19-7).
The game suddenly turned on it's head and Harry Fern added his name to the score sheet. Converted by Hamish.
Ted Wainwright then brought the scores to 19 each, scoring against his old club and Hamish Mainey put Ripon in front with the conversion. (19-21)

Oliver Rockey closed the half out with another Ripon Try and Hamish kept up his 100% record for the day. (19-28)

The second half continued where it left off and Evan Rees ran in for his second. Again converted by Hamish. (19-35)
Ted, who was asking all sorts of questions of the defence, with some good lines of running then crossed for his second of the game and Hamish added the kick. (19-42)

Not to be out done Oliver Rockey also made it over for his second. (19-47)

After conceding three tries in quick succession then turning in seven unanswered tries, in a bizarre twist, Malton then came back, scoring another two of their own (29-47).

Not the most attractive game of rugby Ripon have played this season but a couple of good performances. Cole Potts and Hamish Mainey both ran well and tackled well. Oliver Rockey had a good game in defence and took both his tries well. Harvey Toomes and Titus Baker both had some good strung runs. Nathan Fraser, Dylan Hudspeth and Ben Rutter worked hard, making up for the lack of flankers.
Lewis Leonard had another good showing and there are rumours that Cameron Gilchrist broke into a sprint on a charge.

Tries:
Evan Rees (2)
Ted Wainwright (2)
Oliver Rockey (2)
Harry Fern

Conversions:
Hamish Mainey (6)