Contrary to the last two week’s performances in which Ripon were close to success in the first half and then went off the boil in the second, this week The Blues clung on to a narrow half time lead to blow their opposition away in a free running second half.

Despite multiple changes to the squad again, Ripon found their rhythm early on and steadily improved to run out worthy winners and put to bed the curse of the past two weeks. With five league points needed to remain in third place, Ripon needed a decent score gap and a try bonus and these were achieved in style in front of a packed house at Mallorie Park. With a pre-match “curtain-raiser” game involving both clubs’ Under 9 squads and a sponsors’ lunch, this was a family fun day and a half, with plenty to cheer about on and off the pitch.

There were 12 changes to the line up again this week, with six recalls and six position changes to accommodate them. The most notable recall in the backs being the annual run out for Jason Bell at Full Back – a former club captain and veteran of myriad years of 1st XV Rugby. Bell held his own admirably for the duration and kept a clean sheet as far as no tries being scored against Ripon on his watch. The Centre pairing saw an all forward line up with established Flankers Jacob Drane and Tom Roebuck guesting purposefully and the former taking over kicking duties from his absent little brother Harry, with 10 points from two penalty goals and two conversions. Is there no end to talent in the Drane family? Tom Graham shifted into the danger zone at Scrum Half this week and proved a force to be reckoned with from the breakdowns.

In the pack, Dom Dalby returned at Tight Head and bagged a timely if over-exuberant second half try. The back row was all change again, with Way and Veitch swapping sides from last week’s combo and Charles Britton debuting at Number 8 – a risky but well-worth change from his usual second row position. Britton went on to score the opening try for Ripon and was rewarded with the “Man of the Match” accolade. The bench saw recalls for Findlay and Mosley to use their pace later on.

Britton opened the scoring following a string of phases and his pace and bulk were just too much for the opposition. Drane, just finding his feet was a tad wide of the posts with the conversion attempt for Ripon to lead 5 – 0. Minutes later, Drane got into his groove and extended the lead to 8 – 0 with a penalty goal. Down but not out, Bees responded with a penalty goal just before the break for 8 – 3.

After a stern talking to at half time, Bees came out of the blocks flying and soon narrowed the gap with a second penalty goal for 8 – 6.
“Abo” Sovatabua made good after a few more minutes to leave the opposition in his wake and touch down The Blues’ second try and with Drane’s conversion extended the home lead to 15 – 6, after which the opposition really didn’t look like scoring again. Next up, Drane pushed the scoreboard further with another penalty goal for 18 – 6 and Ripon looking to edge away nicely.

Dalby made the third try look effortless, with his rampaging run in and “Ashtonesque” celebratory dive. Drane obliged with the conversion for 25 – 6 and Ripon getting out of sight. Euan Findlay brought his usual frenetic energy and unpredictability to the latter stages and scampered home for Ripon’s fourth and bonus point winning try. Drane’s luck had run out from the tee and the missed conversion gave Ripon the 30 – 6 lead and pretty much out of sight.

The last word went fittingly to unsung hero and the last of Ripon’s “Flying Fijian” back line standing “Abo”, who turned on his pace and magical running for The Blues’ final try. Again Drane just couldn’t make the conversion but the end result of a 35 – 6 win to avenge the cruel defeat by one point at Wagon Lane back in November. Refreshingly, that narrow defeat heralded a rapid and sustained return to winning ways for Ripon the following week and a strong though at times, tenuous grip on third place in this fiercely competitive division.

With a sound disciplinary display, Ripon will take many comforts from this memorable win, in terms of team resilience, individual talent and enjoying the great home support. This all augurs well for the remaining league game and the impending Papa John Community Cup competition.

Next week, Ripon take another break before their final league encounter of the season away at Halifax Vandals on 5th April. With this last game to go in what has been a challenging but rewarding league campaign, Ripon need to get at least one point from the encounter to secure their prestigious third place. Whilst promotion is now out of scope this year, the overall record for this season has been very positive and bodes well for the future. All travelling supporters for the club’s last league game of the season at Halifax Vandals will be very welcome for the 3.00 kick off.