In disposing of fifth placed league rivals Baildon this Saturday, Ripon notched up their fourth successive win on the trot and seventh successive victory on home turf, making Fortress Mallorie park a grim reality for visitors. Not quite the Try Bonus spectacular that was expected from this buoyant Blues side, the “homies” took the strain of an early Baildon lead, to nose in front at half time and then turned the screw effectively, to prevent any further scores from the visitors and secure a comfortable victory. The top three teams in Counties 2 Yorkshire did Ripon no favours however and with all of them achieving Try Bonus wins, the status remains the same, with Ripon holding their own in fourth place.

A match played at a high tempo and intensity, with both sides taking some time to get used to the heavy conditions, the first half was strewn with handling errors, with Ripon’s meaty scrum making more advantage of them. A first half of exceptional discipline from The Blues, saw them concede just four Penalties to Baildon’s seven, though as the pace hotted up in the final quarter, as did tempers and both sides conceded a further nine Penalties a apiece, with both teams losing players to two Yellow Cards each and Baildon losing another one to a late Red card for alleged foul play. Not the way one would want to finish a game played in largely a fine spirit, but perhaps an indictment as to how seriously folks take the game and aim to prevent a loss.

With Ripon scoring a Converted Try in each half, as well as three Penalty Goals from Mikey Bray, Baildon were restricted to their two early first half Penalty Goals and never looked like scoring a Try. Ripon put up one of their better, if not best defensive displays of the season and with an uncrossed line, had much to celebrate at the final whistle. Bray was on song with a personal tally of 18 points, having crossed for Ripon’s first Try and scored all The Blues’ first half points. With a 100% place kicking outing as well, Bray clearly benefitted from his “Tee Boy” experience last week with his perfect ball placement.

Selection this week saw some eight changes, three positional and five recalls and what with a strong 2nd XV squad travelling away, again was testament to the current playing strength and commitment from this talented group of players.

Mikey Bray started the line up back at Full Back and as well as his impressive points tally, clocked up some ball miles carrying and was resolute in his defensive alignment and creditable tackling. Mattthew Binks was recalled to enjoy a starting place on the Wing and brought some creativity and pace to the attack and pin point placement in defence and counter-attack. Tom Graham booked his regular slot on the opposite Wing and as well as cropping up all over the place to inject some bulk in attack, scored a fine individual second half Try. The Centres saw a return for Liam Wood at Inside, with some strong running and ferocious tackling and Tom Senior keeping his place on merit at Outside, with his fleet of foot and no-nonsense defence. Archie Thompson dropped back into the Number 10 slot and showed great tenacity in managing the back line during some fast and furious exchanges. Max Marston completed the line up at Scrum Half with his usual terrier like performance, the down point of which was a fourth quarter Yellow Card for an alleged high tackle.

In the forwards, the now familiar permutation saw George Evans at Loose Head, with some exceptional carries in the first half and Dom Dalby at Tight Head, doing similarly but perhaps edging in front with the tackle count. Jordan “Show and go” Payne returned at Hooker and with his fellow front row partners, created the bedrock for an outstanding Ripon set piece, from which Ripon launched their victory. Tom Roebuck returned to the Second Row and added an extra dimension to the home line out and Iain Barker partnered in the boiler house with his diplomacy and leadership stretched to the limit in the second half when all around was in danger of descending into chaos as Baildon upped their tempo and tempers to try and get back into the game. The back row saw James Pearce start at Blind Side, with some fine close order work and Freddy Wharton at Open Side and ruling the airwaves at line out time. Nick Perez completed the back row line up, with another display of true grit.

This week’s bench had an international feel, with “Mack” Koroiyadi subbing for the front row, as well as cropping up as an auxiliary Centre and Joe Middlemiss and Jacob Drane looking to drop in anywhere needed, the latter doing a fine job on the wing for the last ten minutes.

The pre-match mantra was all about respecting the opposition and their capability regarding fitness and counter-attacking potential. The main objective was to remain calm and patient under pressure, which was largely the case, to stay in the game and avoid chasing points, which was largely the case and to recognise that the whole team was there on merit and to play for their shirts, which was very much the case. Some early errors, mostly conditions related, were rapidly overcome and whilst a number of point scoring opportunities were left lying in the mud, this was arguably one of Ripon’s finest performances of the season and a credit to all on and off the pitch for their continued efforts.

It was cool and damp, with a faint sniff of a south westerly breeze but with a sun trying its best to emerge from a break in the rain. Mallorie Park looked at its best for the time of year and certainly a different patch of turf from recent years, when at this time, the entire playing surface was more swamp like than able to host a game. Ripon kicked off downhill with the low sun behind them and the return from Baildon saw an uncharacteristically dropped ball from Thompson, gifting the opposition a scrum put in just inside the Ripon half, with under a minute played. Under pressure from the outset, the back-pedalling visitors’ scrum made the feed out rushed and when a miscommunication in midfield led to dropped ball, Wood hacked through and chased on some 30 metres. Thompson rescued the bobbling ball with the help of Binks and Graham and made it over the line only to be held up. The goal line drop out was received and returned with interest by Wood, assisted by Binks again and hopes of finishing were dashed with the slippery ball just escaping Perez’s grip.

Successive indiscretions from Ripon momentarily gave the visitors the upper hand and finding themselves in kicking range, opened the score with a Penalty Goal on seven minutes to take the lead 0 – 3.

Some composed exchanges followed, with good linking between forwards and backs to probe deep into Baildon territory. Making many yards were Evans and Perez up front and Binks and Bray covering the field well. Against this run of play, Baildon took advantage of a breakdown offence and increase their lead to 0 – 6 with another Penalty Goal. Ripon then dug their heels in a started making their possession count for more and gradually reduced the errors and indiscretions. Just into the second quarter, Binks countered from receiving a clearance kick and belted up the left touchline. Senior was on hand to take the inside pass and progress a further 20 metres. Keeping the ball alive neatly, Senior offloaded inside again to Bray who stepped either way to wrong foot the opposition and touch down for The Blues’ first Try. Bray added his own conversion for Ripon to take the lead 7 – 6.

The next ten minutes saw Ripon gradually taking the upper hand with some fluid passing movements and run of favourable Penalty decisions for Baildon offences. At 32 minutes Bray stepped up again to nudge a neat Penalty Goal for 10 – 6 and within a further six minutes, another sweet strike of the ball for 13 – 6. Not content with ending the half quietly, the visitors upped their efforts for the closing moments and launched a real threat on the home line. A hasty Ripon recovery relieved the pressure and the half time whistle heralded a welcome break.
The half time chat reinforced the need for composure and patience in building up attacking phases, with focus on solid defence to keep the opposition score down. All bode well for the vital five pointer – in theory.

Receiving the second half kick off didn’t go as well as planned and Baildon were soon in possession again, their Number 10 doing plenty of damage with his tactical kicking. Their success was short lived when a quick succession of Penalties reinstated Ripon’s upper hand and with a Baildon back yellow carded for a high tackle on Wharton, things were looking even better. Rubbing salt in the wounds, Bray took advantage of the kick at goal and nudged the scoreboard along to 16 – 6 with his third Penalty Goal.

Making use of the “power play”, The Blues launched a full-scale assault with powerful runs from Binks up the left touchline and Wharton in support. Almost up to the five-metre line, Wharton was hauled down and the hastily rearranged Baildon defence rallied to make the clearance kick. Not quite finding touch, Archie Thompson was on hand to field perfectly and keep the ball in play. Feeding Bray infield, the options were to build up the phases again or run but then noticing Graham loitering out wide to the right, with no marker, Bray hoofed a perfectly weighted cross kick to the far side just on the half way line. Tom Graham read the bounce instinctively to gather and then sprint in to finish off the scintillating move between the posts. Bray made no mistake of the Conversion to take Ripon to 23 – 6 with just eight minutes of the second half played.

The remainder of the half saw both sides trying their hardest to increase their scores, but to no avail. The tension built up to frustration and the Referee’s attention to detail with neither side seeming to heed his warnings, resulted in more cards being waved than perhaps the game deserved. The closing few minutes saw further niggle developing and Baildon pressing the home line with some vigour. A second yellow card was issued to Baildon on 33 minutes for a high tackle and things looked up again for Ripon to take advantage of the extra man. However, Marston then succumbed to wrath of the Referee on 37 minutes, for a high tackle, which he must have jumped up to achieve, being of such diminutive proportions. Both sides now being equal and Baildon shifting up a gear, the pressure was finally relieved by a Baildon player being red carded for foul play.

Ripon’s chance to clear their lines failed and Baildon then launched a further series of attacks, benefitting from a further four Penalties along the way. Fortunately for Ripon, the visitors chose not to kick for goal and so their pursuit of at least one Try was their downfall. With Ripon’s defence solid as a rock, there was simply no way through. Even with Ripon down to 13 men after Graham was despatched for a tackle offence, the visitors just couldn’t break through.

After four minutes of injury time, with the Baildon attacks increasing in intensity, a welcome dropped ball signalled the end of the pressure and the final whistle. With both sides finishing with 13 men, what started as a good natured, hardly fought contest, stopped just short of becoming an unseemly mess. The final score of 23 – 6 fell short of Ripon’s expectations but worthy reward for their team work and application. A true testament to Ripon’s efforts to stick to their game plan and focus on eliminating errors and trying their best to maintain discipline. A not so pretty ending, but a win on home ground again and a continuation of that feelgood factor that’s keeping the club so buoyant these days.

Ripon are next in league action away at Huddersfield Laund Hill on Saturday 2nd March and looking for five out of five for the first time in a while. Kick-off is at 3.00pm and all travelling supporters are welcome to spur The Blues on to further success.