FULL REPORT
Ripon Rugby Club travelled to old rivals Roundhegians in North Leeds on Saturday for a pre-season friendly ahead of the Yorkshire Counties 2 campaign. With holidays limiting availability to just 21 registered players, the Blues fielded an experimental side that blended youth, experience, and several new signings.

Whilst not quite the start Ripon wanted for the first test of their playing strength, this match gave perhaps a good indication of where the rest of the pre-season training efforts need to focus and of course, blooded some significant new signings in a competitive scenario.

In fine conditions and with a mercifully cooling breeze, Ripon, backed by a sizeable crowd of spectators and unexpectedly available and injured players, regarded the fixture as the first phase of a new season, with great expectations of playing success.
Selection was compromised significantly by it being at the peak of holiday season and with several injured key players to boot, this was going to be a small but perfectly formed group of Ripon’s finest.

The forwards were led by Club Captain James Pearce, beginning his second season as skipper and the only specialist hooker available. Props Sam Stoddart, Nick Perez, and the legendary Nigel Brewster shouldered the front-row duties, with Charles Britton and Ben Rickard adding considerable bulk and experience in the engine room. The back row brimmed with options: Billy Burgin, new signing Jordan Layne, from York, youngster Jack Fletcher, debuting from last season’s Colts XV and utility returnee Rob Fielden. Billy Fletcher offered options in second and back rows, as well as alternatives to Ripon’s established kicking game. Veteran Mark Hooley completed the pack line up, with his never quit attitude and inherent ability to slow things down when necessary.

Behind the pack, Ripon unveiled fresh faces in Alex Riley at Scrum Half and Allan Hudson at Centre, both experienced campaigners joining as player-coaches from National League clubs. Morgan Clark made a welcome return at Number 10 after a long injury lay off, while youngsters Will Mountford and Henry Hanson offered pace out wide, as did Matt Binks. Established Centres Alex Mohan and Will Barrett provided stability, and new signing Mark Baldwin added versatility at Full Back and Scrum Half.

Once the game got underway, Ripon struck first after just three minutes. A towering penalty clearance from Clarke took play to the Roundhegians’ 5-metre line. From the line-out, Perez secured possession, Britton and Rickard drove forward, and Jordan Layne crashed over for his debut try under the posts. Clark converted for a 0 - 7 lead.

The hosts responded instantly. Ripon fumbled the restart, conceding a scrum, and Roundhegians’ slick handling freed their left winger to score in the corner virtually unopposed. The successful conversion levelled matters at 7 - 7. Ripon’s Mark Baldwin impressed early with assured clearances, while Burgin was pick of the pack and tireless in defence.

Ripon’s reshuffle at the start of the second period unsettled their rhythm. A string of penalties handed Roundhegians momentum, and a yellow card to Layne on 7 minutes for a breakdown offence compounded the pressure. Despite Ripon’s scrum dominance, the hosts broke through at 11 minutes for a converted try. The kick struck the post, but Roundhegians led 12-7 at half-time.

Further personnel changes brought Mark Hooley and Rob Fielden into the action, but penalties again hampered Ripon. Roundhegians capitalised with another unconverted try to stretch their advantage to 17-7 heading into the final quarter.

As the game went into its final quarter, the tide turned at last. Penalty awards went Ripon’s way, and Clark kicked to the corner. From the line-out, Stoddart threw in and hit his target for a change, then rejoined at the tail to finish off a driving maul, scoring on 5 minutes. Clark added a superb touchline conversion to narrow the gap to 17 - 14.

Ripon’s pack now began to dominate up front, while their backs looked sharper with ball in hand. The decisive moment came on 12 minutes when Billy Fletcher broke from a midfield line-out, cut a gap through traffic, and sprinted clear to score a memorable try. Clark converted again to give Ripon the match winning 17 - 21 lead.

Roundhegians threw everything at the Blues in the dying minutes, but Ripon’s defence marshalled by experienced head and solid composure, held firm until the final whistle.

In the end, Ripon’s mix of resilience, forward power, and clinical finishing secured a hard-earned win against old adversaries. Though discipline and line-outs will demand attention, the character shown to come from behind will encourage the squad ahead of the league season.

Next up will be the full-on senior squad and Colts fixtures against Barnard Castle RUFC on 23rd August and the potential for another midweek outing the week after. All eyes are on Ripon’s new look playing and coaching squad and confidence is building for a successful pre-season and even more successful league season to come.

REPORT SUMMARY
Ripon kicked off their 2025/26 campaign with a gritty comeback win away at old rivals Roundhegians, edging a lively pre-season clash 17–21.
With holidays thinning the squad down to 21, the Blues rolled out a mix of fresh faces, proven grafters and a couple of headline signings — and while it wasn’t flawless, it gave the crowd plenty of reasons to get excited for the season ahead.

A Flying Start
Ripon wasted no time. Just three minutes in, new signing Jordan Layne bulldozed his way over from close range after a slick line-out drive. Morgan Clark’s boot added the extras, and Ripon were up 0–7.
But Roundhegians hit straight back. A messy restart gifted them territory, and a sharp move down the left wing levelled the score at 7–7.

A Scrappy Middle
The second quarter saw momentum swing. A yellow card for Layne piled on the pressure, and despite Ripon’s scrum dominance, Roundhegians made it count. By half-time the hosts had turned it around, 12–7 up, then stretched it to 17–7 after the break.
Discipline wobbled. Penalties stacked up. Ripon looked in danger of letting this one slip.

Turning the Screw
But then the tide turned. The forwards rallied, the crowd roared, and Ripon started playing some rugby. Big carries and smart kicks set the platform, and Sam Stoddart finished off a textbook driving maul for Ripon’s second try. Clark nailed the touchline conversion — suddenly it was game on at 17–14. Minutes later came the killer blow. Off a midfield line-out, Billy Fletcher spotted a gap, burst through traffic and gunned it to the line for a stunner of a try. Clark, cool as you like, slotted the kick: 17–21 Ripon.

Holding the Line
The final ten were all Roundhegians, hammering at Ripon’s defence. But the Blues dug in. Veterans like Mark Hooley slowed the game down when it mattered, and new faces like Mark Baldwin cleared the danger with calm heads. The whistle went — job done.

The Takeaway
Not perfect, but promising. Set-pieces and discipline still need work, but the resilience, fitness and sheer grit on display were exactly what pre-season’s about. Ripon proved they can scrap back from behind and finish strong — the kind of mentality that wins league points come autumn.

Next stop: Barnard Castle on 23rd August, with both senior and Colts squads in action. Confidence is building, and if this first outing is anything to go by, it’s going to be a season worth watching.