U14's in a Well Matched Game

A well matched game against Wharfedale started well for Ripon who controlled the ball well, pushing forward to play in the opposition half. Good rucking from the forwards saw the ball moved to the try line several times, but the Wharfedale defence held out and Ripon could not find a clean
pass to get over, with Ripon on the line again it was Wharfedale who turned the ball over and got away to score after a run the length of the pitch against the run of play.

Ripon continued to press and soon had the scores level after a good kick to open space by Archie Hassall. Elliot Bean was unlucky to be beaten by the bounce but Jake Robinson gathered to score by the posts. Ripon then took the lead with a well worked try from Man of the Match winger Lucian Wray who finished off a flowing move from the backs in the corner. 12-7 to Ripon.

The second half started badly with Wharfedale running the ball in direct from the kickoff, with Ripon guilty of some terrible tackling. One person who stood out for Ripon with his workrate and tackling was Man of Steel winner Elliot Brooksbank. Both sides had chances but the game
suffered from many penalty’s and some poor ball handling, Ripon’s defence again went missing in the final minutes when Wharfedale scored a final try to end the game 12-19.