Ripon travelled to North Leeds to see if they could complete the treble of wins this season over old adversaries Roundhegians. Having beaten the hosts convincingly in a pre-season warm up game and then in the first leg of the league campaign, Ripon were buoyed with confidence from beating the top two teams in Yorkshire Two in their last two outings and were looking for a third scalp last weekend. Unfortunately and after a strong start and a narrow half time lead, Ripon were unable to thrash out a win, in this fiercely contested game. Coming second best away to the third placed team in the league was no disgrace and with a try bonus point to the bargain, Ripon will be pleased with gaining the point and maintaining their position at seventh in the league.

Whilst a case of “third time unlucky”, in terms of building on the two previous successes this season against Roundhegians, there were some positives to take from this gritty performance at the Memorial Ground. Through sheer determination and commitment, The Blues showed that their fight for a credible and creditable finishing position in this highly competitive division is alive and kicking. The Blues’ recent achievement of beating two of top three sides in successive league matches shows the club’s strength in the face of adversity and the power of a club that has fielded no less than 49 players in the 1st XV squad to date.

Some might argue the lack of regular availability of key players causes disruption and inconsistency of play, but the situation is what it is and the club continues to enjoy strength in depth as far as numbers are concerned and a determination from the coaching and support crew to continue to develop emerging talent and shape the adult playing strength into a force to be reckoned with.

More changes to the squad were inevitable this week, with the Fijian contingent being conspicuous by their unavailability for reasons of national security presumably. An irony considering the numbers that were available for the previous week’s 2nd XV match. There were nine changes to the squad overall, comprising seven recalls and two positional changes to accommodate them. Most damaging perhaps to continuity was the four changes in the back line, so it was always going to be difficult for The Blues to maintain continuity of their previously good form. The line up saw Player Coach Alex Riley return to the squad in unfamiliar territory on the one Wing and club legend Jason Bell making a cameo appearance on the other. Lewis “Little Gary” Simpkin returned to the fold at Inside Centre and Tom Graham shifted to Outside Centre. James Cooper kept his place at Full Back as did last week’s small but efficient Half Back pairing of Mark “Baldy” Baldwin and Morgan Clark. The latter succeeded with 40% of today’s kicks to add five points to his season’s tally of 137.

The pack saw the familiar tribunal of Keith Anderson at Loose Head, James Pearce skippering at Hooker and Adam “Age-defying” Newcombe stepping back into the Tight Head berth from last week’s bench. The boiler house was stoked by Iain Barker, who maintained his reputation for delivering no-nonsense contributions to half time speeches and Billy Fletcher. The back row saw welcome returns for Jacob “It wasn’t me” Drane and man of the match Elliot Davies-Taylor, with co-player-coach Allan Hudson ruling the roost at line out time. Davies-Taylor not only made his mark on the game in terms of impact and opposition appreciation but also edged into the lead as top 1st XV try scorer so far with two tries to make 10 touchdowns in total.

The bench had a refreshing new look with a first 1st XV appearance for Jack “Never say Never” Stiddard in over ten years, adding his encyclopaedic game management knowledge as well as an undisclosed and classified weight, to proceedings as utility forward. Will Mountford brought the brains to the event as back row replacement and Harry Drane was included to supplement the backs.

Ripon had a lively start, with the hosts conceding two penalties in as many minutes and allowing The Blues to put some flowing moves together with pace and style. Early exchanges saw fluid passing, with Fletcher and Bell instrumental in leading the charges. The momentum stalled on 10 minutes though, when a Clark kick was charged down, a breakdown offence gifted the hosts a penalty in front of the posts, from which they went 3 – 0 up.

Back in the action sharply, on 14 minutes after a penalty touch kick, the well-functioning Ripon line out dominated by Hudson, produced a driving maul that trundled for over 20 metres. After being pulled down illegally, Baldwin took a quick penalty tap and released Davies-Taylor to rumble over for Ripon’s first try and the lead of 3 – 5. Clark’s conversion attempt went just wide. Ripon further extended their lead after just three minutes when Simpkin and Graham made solid ground in midfield before creating space for Riley to outstrip the opposition to touch down. Clark converted for 3 – 12.

Roundhegians started finding their feet soon into the second quarter and after a flurry of uneventful penalties each way, the hosts struck a blow into the Ripon 22. Some ineffective cover tackling let the opposition in for a converted try and took the score to a more creditable 10 – 12 for the hosts, which is where it stayed until half time.

Joy emerged from the attrition when after only three minutes of the second half played an early penalty and yellow card against the hosts gave the initiative back to Ripon. From the penalty touch kick, now working like a well-oiled machine, the Ripon catch and drive took the pack to the line where Davies-Taylor used his considerable bulk to crash over. Clark just missed the conversion attempt but The Blues were happier to extend their lead to 10 – 17. The joy was short lived however, as within a further five minutes, a tackle offence saw Jacob Drane yellow carded and all Ripon’s impetus lost. The bitter pill to swallow was a taste of Ripon’s own medicine and their line out catch and drive used their extra numbers to good effect. The maul progressed some 20 metres before the ball spun into the midfield for a touchdown under the posts. The conversion levelled the score at 17 – 17 and the match set for a nail-biting final quarter.

Five minutes later, a concerted Ripon attack crumbled with a fumble in midfield and the hosts exploited their overlap to score again this time in the corner. The mighty conversion attempt from near the touchline was on point and Roundhegians took the lead for the second time at 24 – 17. Undeterred, Ripon stepped up again and through the powerful running of Newcombe, Stiddard and Graham, continued to make inroads. A penalty goal from Clark reduced the deficit to 24 – 20 with twelve minutes to go and Ripon felt still in with a shout.

Again the incentive was lost for The Blues as with five minutes left, a quick break from a home line out saw the Ripon defence caught flat footed with a chip and chase, the touchdown led to Roundhegians fourth and bonus point winning try and without the conversion nudged them further ahead to 29 – 20. Salt was then rubbed in Ripon’s wounds a couple of minutes later when after another home line out win, quick ball to their midfield saw their Number 10 scythe through flailing arms to touch down under the posts. The conversion took the score to a seemingly unassailable 36 – 20 with two minutes left on the clock and Ripon looking distinctly forlorn.

Ripon fought back again from the restart though and put the hosts under pressure in their 22. A foul on Baldwin at a ruck saw a tap and go by the plucky Scrum Half to feed the ball into the oncoming pack. After a couple of parries and thrusts involving all of the pack, Keith Anderson got the touchdown for Ripon’s consolation try bonus point. Clark’s conversion drifted wide and the final whistle signalled a 36 – 25 win for the hosts.

A credit-worthy performance by Ripon in a tough game from start to finish. Many positives to take away from competing against quality opposition and dealing with the disruption from multiple and unsettling squad changes week on week.

Ripon now turn their attention to next week’s home game versus Halifax and The Blues look to avenge their unexpected away defeat, kick off at 2.15 and all support welcome.