U16's Match Report vs Middlesbrough - YC2

Second round of the Yorkshire Cup and a home tie against Middlesbrough. After coming off second best to the same team two weeks ago, Ripon were determined to up their game and boy did they. None of the slow start which they were guilty off in the earlier game, they competed from the first minute to the last. They nearly had a dream start Lucian Wray and Henry Calvert combining to almost get over, quickly followed by a great effort by Olly Bowett. Henry did then get over only to be held up by the Boro pack.

For the first twenty mins Ripon never seemed to be out of the opposition half, clever kicking from Archie Hassall almost producing a score down the wing. When things did break-down in attack Ripons forwards let nothing go unchallenged, hardly a missed tackle in the match and giving nothing away in the rucks to the much heavier Boro pack. Half time came with no score to either side.

The second half started with Ripon again on the front foot, two more great runs defended within the five metre line. Ripon got points on the board with a penalty by Jake Robinson mid way through the half, Boro responded well but the Ripon defence stood firm and held off three dangerous attacks close to the line. Ripons undoing came with five mins to go, from a line out deep in the Ripon half, Boro’s pack got a rolling maul moving and Ripon were unable to stop their pack crossing to score.

With time running out Ripon again attacked and thought they had a try when James Willis got to within inches off the line but was unable to touch the ball over. Without doubt the best performance by this group of players ever, but they have raised the bar a great deal and now need to play to this standard every game.

Ripon 3- 5 Middlesbrough