Win for Ripon U14 vs Huddersfield

Match report from Paul Heap, U14's Team Manager.

From the off, Ripon stepped up to generate a good attacking and intense start to the match, carrying the ball hard to the opposition and keeping it secure in the close and tight play. Strong carries from both forwards and backs ensured tight and accurate rucking and phasing and ball retention. With the backs also showing plenty of flair and ingenuity to cause Huddersfield plenty of problems, Ripon totally dominated the first 10 minutes without letting Huddersfield get much ball to attack.

Unfortunately the first meaningful attack from Huddersfield saw them pass the ball efficiently through their pacey back line, breaking through a couple of tackles to score under the posts. The conversion was added. In a positive re-start, that demonstrated Ripon’s new found optimism, evident from the very start of the season, Ripon went straight back on the attack and continued to dominate possession with more strong carries.

A break through the midfield by Will Groves, almost up to the try line was stopped short by Hudderfield’s scramble defence but the Ripon forwards rounded on the ensuing ruck with a sense of urgency to keep the opposition under immense pressure, and soon made the pressure pay with a whole pack effort to drive Sam Askham over for Ripon’s first try of the match.

As the half drew to a close Ripon’s domination waned and Huddersfield were beginning to gain more of a foothold in the match and were looking the more likely to score the next try. Hudderfield created a 3 man overlap within a couple of metres of the Ripon try line and it looked as if the score was inevitable, but for some fantastic try line defence from Thomas Casey to hold them up over the line. From the ensuing scrum Huddersfield sent the ball through the hands swiftly to go over for their second try. Half time score 5:12.

From the 2nd half kick-off, Ripon collected the ball and quickly rampaged up the field, circulating the ball through two phases before Charlie Pilkington crossed the white wash (to shouts from the coaches of “pass it”) to give Ripon a chance of levelling. The conversion was missed and the score stood at 10:12 to Hudderfield. Ripon weren’t about to let their intensity and domination diminish. After some steady build up play, Ripon were awarded a penalty on the 22, took it via a tap and go, passing the ball down the line, a dummy pass saw the ball eventually get to Sam Askham who drove the ball strongly through the close contact to gain valuable yards before going to ground to set up the ruck. Ripon continuing the theme of excellent ruckking and ball control in the tight, went through a couple of driving rucks, edging ever closer to the try line before Joe Hodgkinson eventually squirmed his way over the try line for his first try of the campaign. The conversion was missed but Ripon had now taken the lead 15:12.

The match intensity dropped half way through the second half as the teams began to tire and replacements came on to add fresh impetus; Ripon’s replacements proving the more effective and allowed Ripon to once again pick up the intensity. Huddersfield were unable to match it and Ripon were able to get the ball through the back line to Ewan Bosworth who pinned his ears back and ran strongly down the wing, breaking a number of tackles to score in the corner. Ripon had now pulled away by two scores with 5 minutes left on the clock. Then with the final play of the match, Ewan Bosworth again took advantage of tired opposition to go over for his second try and seal an emphatic victory 25:12.