Ripon celebrated the official opening of the new “Tim Wray Stand” at their Mallorie Park ground on Saturday, with a bumper crowd swelled by a well-subscribed sponsors’ lunch and no less than three teams playing at home. The 1st XV fared less well than the others score-wise though, in a tighter than anticipated second league outing and second tussle this season after their warm up friendly, against old friends and adversaries Roundhegians from North Leeds.

Ripon gained a creditable two try to nil lead in the first half and added a further in the second. An off day at the tee for Clark however, left some points going begging and the team’s overall performance, despite providing ample good quality possession and territorial advantage, simply couldn’t convert it all into more points. Despite Clarks’ disconnection at place kicking time, he controlled the game very well with ball in hand and his tactical kicking saw him fairly awarded the man of the match recognition. The Blues’ ambition to gain at least one league bonus point for tries scored was sadly just out of reach and a spirited display late in the second half by the visitors, gave them a well-earned losing bonus point. A far more cohesive performance all round this week though, saw an emerging dominance at the set piece and better communications all round than in the previous week’s outing.

With some six changes from last week’s squad, all recalls to replace either injuries or unavailability, the challenge for Ripon was to build on the positives from last week and put the learning from training into action.

From start to finish, the full squad saw an unchanged back line from last week’s selection, apart from the injection of pace at Full Back in Will Barrett. The pack saw more movement in the recall of Nick Perez to add his scrummaging and carrying prowess at Tight Head. Dan Rayner, back from injury and other distractions locked the scrum with Britton to start what could be a powerful partnership. Tom Roebuck moved up from last week’s bench to start at Number 8.

The bench saw the addition of Matt Powell, adequately equipped to play anywhere and James Cooper to add his goal kicking prowess if called upon.

The Ripon game plan was largely successful, with long periods of Ripon possession yielding good ground gained in both halves and a stronger focus on discipline this week, with only 10 penalties conceded in total. Again though, ambition to score enough tries for a bonus point escaped the team and the opposition’s indiscipline was not punished effectively.

Ripon started strongly and from a deep Roundhegians kick off, Clark put The Blues deep into enemy territory. The first line out didn’t go as well as planned for Ripon and from the ensuing scrum for not straight, ‘Hegians cleared. Hanson was on hand to prevent the ball from going into touch and returned with a typically mercurial counter. From the midfield breakdown on the visitors’ 22, the ball was shifted left quickly to the waiting arms of Tom Graham. Unstoppable at any range, Graham ploughed through the first line of defence and completed a 30 metre assault to open the scoring for the hosts with just three minutes played. Clark bounced the conversion off the upright to leave the lead at 5 – 0.

The rest of the first quarter was pretty much all Ripon until against the run of play the visitors broke out and narrowed the gap with a penalty goal for 5 – 3. The Blues responded positively from the kick off, when Clark kicked long, forcing a handling error from the visitors on their 22 and a Ripon line out throw in. The catch and drive was executed to perfection and the Ripon pack trundled over the line for Skipper James Pearce to touch down. The conversion attempt was pulled slightly to settle the score at 10 – 3, where it remained until half time. Pick of the first half were Britton and Anderson for their effective carrying and Barrett and Hanson for their defensive aggressive aggression and counter attacking prowess.

The second half started well with a brace of penalties in the opening moments to Ripon’s advantage and the flow of the game bode well. Roundhegians however, put the spanner in the works after an indiscretion in midfield stopped the progress. A further ten minutes passed before Ripon pushed back into the visitors’ 22 after an impressive thirty metre solo break by the evergreen Newcombe. A penalty for off side gave Ripon an option just five metres out and Pearce opted for the scrum. The Blues’ nudge was enough to release Roebuck to the blind side and with a simple offload, put Graham in for his second of the day and perhaps easiest try in a while. Again the conversion was just beyond reach for Clark and there the Ripon scoring stopped at 15 – 3.

The final quarter of the game saw Ripon throw everything but the kitchen sink at their opposition and still no further way through. The visitors weathered the storm admirably and despite Ripon’s best efforts, apart from in the set piece, got the better of the run of play. The Roundhegians’ efforts came to fruition with the clock tantalisingly close to full time with a succession of fast and furious phases up the middle of the field. With the Ripon defence seemingly crumbling, the visitors pressed on and with a penalty advantage in the home 22, they went for bust and broke the ”thin blue line” for a converted try on the stroke of 40 minutes for 15 – 10.

The restart offered further possession to Roundhegians and the unthinkable started to look a reality, that this young and spirited opposition might actually do a number on Ripon and either draw or even win. A penalty for hands in the ruck to Roundhegians was the gift they were looking for, but their hurried attempt to take advantage of the situation fizzled out and as the ball became unplayable, the final whistle blew, almost drowned out by the sighs of relief from the Ripon players and supporters.

Not the bonus point win that Ripon wanted, but a marked improvement on last week and a real testament to the grit and determination of this still forming squad. With recent changes and acquisitions, this squad may take a few more weeks to settle into their groove, but the potential is massive. A strong and stable set piece and a lively and exciting set of backs will offer many options for purposeful and productive league performances to come. This feels more like a Ripon team that finished last season on a high and will take this season even higher.

Next week, Ripon are back at home and entertain Whitley Bay Rockliff in the first round of the RFU Men’s Community Cup, Counties 2 Championship competition, on Saturday 20th September for a 3.00pm kick off. Formerly known as the Papa John’s Cup, which Ripon won two seasons ago, this bodes to be an exciting opportunity to play for some more silverware. All support very welcome.