Ripon travelled the long and tortuous journey to Halifax and despite best efforts all round, particularly in the line out and some sterling individual performances, The Blues succumbed to pressure from a spirited and significantly weighty home side. Halifax are currently languishing near the bottom of the league and were desperate for a positive result. The try bonus win was probably more than the hosts dreamed of, but through sustained pressure and capitalising on opportunities, Halifax ran out worthy winners and left Ripon grateful for the losing bonus point, which leaves then in seventh place in the league.

Pre match, the coach’s mantra was to emphasise control of the breakdown, tackle effectively and maintain the usual structured play. The team line up saw ten changes from the last selection some three weeks ago and included five recalls for Henry Hanson on the Wing, Nick Perez to add some oomph to the set piece and open play, Billy Fletcher in the back row and Rickard and Veitch to add youthful exuberance to the bench. There were four positional changes to accommodate the newcomers and a debut for utility back Elliot Fearn.

The cool dry and still conditions and a very well groomed pitch bode well for an afternoon of flowing rugby, though the setting sun posed some challenges early on.

In the opening quarter, the hosts set about battering Ripon into submission with some enduring attacks through their hefty pack. Ripon took the strain admirably and with honours even at the early scrums and with emerging line out dominance, The Blues looked the stronger and more creative of the two sides. Just deserts came for Ripon as the game enter the second quarter when Harry Drane snapped up a loose ball from a Halifax attack just short of the visitors’ line. Quick hands saw Riley then Perez break cover to the 22 metre line and hand over to Tom Graham to cover the remaining 70 metres unchallenged to touch down. Clarks’ conversion made it 0 – 7.

Down but not out, Halifax fought back and on 26 minutes, pieced together some strong phases in attack and eventually crossed the Ripon line for an unconverted try and 5 – 7. Ripon’s fortunes then started to spiral out of control when an indiscretion by Fletcher saw him despatched with a yellow card and the hosts took the lead with a penalty goal for 8 – 7. Insult was then added to injury just some five minutes later when Jacob Drane was given a red card for alleged foul play.

Reduced to 13 players, Ripon yielded to the weight of numbers and conceded another unconverted try for the hosts to enhance their lead with a further unconverted try for 13 – 7, which remained the score until half time.

The second half started in earnest with Halifax still keen to exploit their numerical advantage and started to create all sorts of pressure on the Ripon scrum. Halifax extended their lead after just five minutes played after destroying a Ripon scrum and stealing the ball. A perfectly timed and weighted cross kick saw the home Wing catch and cross in the corner for a further unconverted try and an increase of the hosts’ score to 18 – 7. Ripon kicked deep from the restart looking to force their way back into the game and that they did when Halifax cleared to touch offering the visitors a line out on the home 22 metre line. A classic catch and drive from the nimble Ripon pack saw the maul gather pace and momentum and Jordan Layne was carried over the line to score Ripon’s second. Clark just missed the conversion but the 18 – 12 score line looked more respectable.

Ripon, with tails up at last, pressed the home line again and with just a few metres to go, a speculative long floated pass intended for Graham got intercepted. Covering almost the full length of the pitch, Graham managed to haul the attacker down, but the effective recycling from the breakdown saw the hosts in for their fourth and bonus point winning try. The conversion took the home score to 25 – 12 with fifteen minutes left to play.

Keen to close the deficit further, Ripon kept up the pace and intensity of their attacks, but so did Halifax and with their scrum dominance, cruelly punished any mistakes. A consolation prize in the form of Graham’s second and man of the match award winning try on 81 minutes. From a hastily managed scrum, Ripon shovelled the ball back and with Graham hitting a straight line at pace, crashed through between the posts. Clark’s conversion added the icing on the cake and nudged the score to 25 – 19 with enough time left on the clock to score again if they had the will.

The final couple of minutes saw Ripon try everything to get the vital points to take the game, but alas, the hosts stuck to their plan and defended resolutely. The final whistle went at 85 minutes and with the score 25 – 19 in Halifax’s favour, their celebrations were akin to winning the world cup.

In summary, Ripon made the most of a difficult situation when down to 13 men and overall, the team discipline was very good. Conceding only seven penalties all game to the opposition’s five, was testament to good game control as well as the referee’s willingness to keep the game flowing with copious amounts of advantage played. Ripon also made the best of their being outweighed in the pack and looked to keep the ball alive through phases. The plain fact of life now remains, that if Ripon have any aspirations for promotion or a top three league placing, every match needs to be considered a must win from now on, with no room for complacency or comfort.

Next week, Ripon take yet another break as the structured season provides for occasional rest days. There are currently no plans for any 1st XV fixtures, but the second and third teams have home games versus North Ribblesdale, kicking off at 2.15. The Blues then return to league action on Saturday 22nd November and welcome Wakefield based opposition Ossett, for what promises to be an exciting encounter at Mallorie Park. All home support for the 2.15pm kick off will be very welcome.