Ossett vs Ripon - Saturday 3rd February 2024

Reminiscent of that damning question usually asked of schoolchildren, including yours truly, when faced with homework of a considerably differing standard or content from the norm: “Is this your own work?” The honest answer has to of course be: “No sir”. Credit this week to a pot-pourri of contributors, from coaching and playing personnel, not so innocent bystanders and an unforeseen but nevertheless fortuitous contribution from the Ossett chronicler, this expansion on the “bare bones” press release, does aim to flesh out the weekend’s proceedings to a word count worthy of everyone’s time in positioning on the club website and our loyal readers’ avid attention. Factually accurate – hopefully, unbiased and unopinionated – maybe and self-gratifying claptrap, if given the chance to wax lyrical about an event that wasn’t attended – absolutely. Not quite virtual reality and certainly not an AI marvel created from an algorithm developed from previous submissions; hopefully this will meet the requirements of those seeking more information about the weekend’s activities (Nothing about Noah and his charges in Wakefield however). Hopefully too, it will feel almost like being there.

This week’s away trip saw two full Ripon teams embark on a great adventure to the heart of West Yorkshire and a double header at Ossett, the first meeting of the two clubs at this level in at least a couple of decades or so.

For the 1st XV, a show of “animal magic” from the whole squad in restricting tough opposition on their own turf, to one Penalty Goal. The 2nd XV fared significantly better in their fixture, so the marvel of the now all too familiar “Blue Rinse” was carried on to play out before the modestly sized, but effusively vociferous travelling support.

Stopped cruelly short of their Try Bonus Point by a last ditch show of strength from their hosts, Ripon carved out a solid win on the road at Ossett. Even with prolonged bouts of stout goal line defence from the battering by their doughty hosts, Ripon showed one of if not the best defensive displays in the league to date. Considering Ossett hadn’t lost at home since September, this outstanding victory, which put Ripon up to third place in the league, was a memorable achievement indeed.

The pre-match chat focused on building on the previous week’s exceptional discipline and not giving up possession or territory easily. Both were achieved well with Penalties and unforced errors kept well into single figures. Ripon managed the game well, benefitting from impartial refereeing and Ossett’s indiscipline and ran out worthy winners in a tougher contest than the scoreline depicted.

Selection this week saw a number of challenges, not only to keep the 1st XV squad’s title-chasing efforts in Counties 2 Yorkshire buoyant, but also to field as strong a 2nd XV squad as possible, to match their aspirations in the Yorkshire Central/North Merit Table well and truly alive. A total of eleven changes, six recalls and five positional, would have significantly disrupted the flow of many other sides. Not this Ripon squad though, flexible and adaptable, with a solid commitment to playing to strengths and fielding the best team available.

Starting at the back, Harvey Hooley swapped to his favoured slot at Full Back and brought his pace to the attack and counter attack and gutsy defensive efforts belying his diminutive stature. Tom Graham kept the only unchanged position in the backs on his Wing and was partnered for the third time this season by speedster Charles Robinson, both of whom were unlucky not to cross the whitewash this week. In the Centres, Tom Senior shifted to Outside, to accommodate Archie Thompson making the change this week to cover Inside. Mikey Bray guested again at Outside Half and did a creditable job as playmaker and notched up nine more points with his 100% kicking record for the day with three Conversions and a Penalty Goal. Max Marston returned to the squad at Scrum Half after a week out and delivered the necessary go forward from the set piece with his pinpoint passing.

In the Pack, George Evans and Dom Dalby added the brains and brawn, not saying which, at Loose Head and Tight Head respectively and James Pearce stepped back in as Hooker after a brief dalliance in the back row. Dalby, a Titan at scrum time, had a good outing in the loose and carried well in his second half Try-scoring performance. Skipper Iain Barker controlled discipline impeccably, with mature leadership from the second row, as well as keeping the tight play solid. Joining him for his third start of the season was Henry Fletcher with an excellent line out performance and a second half Try to his name. The back row was all change again and offered the first start of the season to Fin Middlemiss at Blind Side and Try-scoring “keep it in the forwards”, Freddy Wharton doing his usual damage at Open Side. Returning to the fray this week after time out was the human wrecking ball Nick Perez, to add some much-needed oomph at Number 8.

In a fiercely competitive game overall, the opening quarter was evenly matched with both teams attacking with great purpose and intent. Ripon kicked a Penalty Goal courtesy of Bray, midway through the first half, with Ossett replying shortly after with a Penalty Goal of their own after sustained pressure on the Ripon line had been constantly repelled. This neatly leveled the score at 3 – 3.

Flanker Freddy Wharton, playing fast and loose as usual, bagged Ripon’s first Try after some cohesive interplay and more pressure going into the second quarter, With Bray’s precision Conversion, Ripon regained the lead 3 – 10. Despite some valiant efforts by the hosts, that’s where the score remained at half time.

Ripon started the second half strongly and with two Yellow Cards in quick succession for Ossett offences, one of which was hotly disputed, The Blues started to turn the screw. Henry Fletcher was next on the scoreboard for Ripon, with a well-worked Try after some excellent support play, with Bray Converting again for 3 – 17. Coming off the bench, Tom Newby made a strong impact to the backs and was called back from a Try-scoring break after the Referee stopped play for a head injury.

Dom Dalby made up for the setback by powering his way over with seemingly half the Ossett team on his back for Ripon’s third. Bray, again on song with his boot, cleared the Conversion to take the score to an unassailable 3 – 24.

The closing minutes of the game were all Ripon going for broke for their fourth Try, but that eluded them due to the home side’s resilience in defence and so the full-time score remained at 2 – 24. A solid display by Ripon and much to be celebrated for their fortitude in defence and persistence in ball retention.

Ripon are next in league action at home to Baildon on Saturday 17th February and looking to complete five out of five home wins on the trot. Kick-off is at 2.15 and all supporters welcome to spur The Blues on to further success.