After a shocker of a start, Ripon clawed their way back into this match against a spirited Bramley side, got to eventually take a slim lead and then succumbed to a late flurry by the opposition to suffer their first home defeat of the season. Bramley were well organised and energetic throughout the game, which belied their lowly league position and mocked Ripon’s meticulous preparation and impressive home record. Try as they might, Ripon were stifled from playing their usual expansive game and had difficulty in executing some of the basics.

A losing bonus point was one consolation not to be sniffed at however, and a solid debut appearance for Centre James Collins, scoring a try on his first outing gave The Blues one to watch for the future. In all fairness, Ripon showed great fortitude and resilience to respond positively to the visitors’ “shock and awe” opening plays in which they ran up a 0 – 10 lead in as many minutes. With some sterling contributions from the whole squad, “The Blues” edged their way back into the game, with a strong set piece and some incisive phases of play.

Key contributors were Morgan Clark with a four out of six success rate kicking from the tee: with eleven points from three penalty goals and a conversion taking his season tally to 110. Elliot Davies-Taylor bashed his way around the pitch and claimed a try for his trouble and the mercurial Collins excited in midfield. A final word for the input of the veteran Adam Newcombe, making a huge impact in the tight and loose, having played in every game this season so far and leading by example in every phase of the game.

This week’s line up after two lost weeks due to the inclement weather, saw just six changes overall. Five recalls saw Billy Fletcher drafted into the powerhouse of the second row, Max Webster to bring his youthful exuberance and Davies-Taylor his powerful running, to the back row in the pack. “Mack” Koroiyadi brought his South Sea Island flair as forward replacement and the studious firebrand Harvey Hooley looked to excite from the bench.

In cool, damp, but still conditions, Ripon opted to play uphill from the outset and from Graham’s reception of the Bramley kick off, set off in earnest through Pearce. A penalty for holding on stopped Ripon’s momentum and despite the missed penalty goal attempt with less than a minute played, gave the visitors possession back to start being a nuisance. The ensuing play saw Bramley take a quick ball from a line out on the Ripon 10 metre line and through sleight of hand and pace, left the home defence wrong footed. The opening try for Bramley on three minutes looked like a grim reminder of how “The Blues” needed to defend.

Unluckily, Ripon suffered a string of penalties for high tackle law interpretation indiscretions and after a tapped penalty on seven minutes, the visitors plunged over the home line again. With no conversion, the score at 0 – 10 was bad enough and Ripon dug deep to find their groove. Towards the end of the first quarter, Clark stepped up for the first of his successful place kicks after a penalty was awarded for a breakdown offence. At 3 -10, the deficit looked manageable for Ripon and so the fight back began in earnest.

The Ripon revival was short lived however, when after a string of penalties for more alleged high tackles, Skipper James Peasrce was sin binned for a similar offence and with the wind out of the hosts’ sails, Bramley exploited the power play with another try, this time converted, for 3 – 17 and Ripon with a mountain to climb. Climb they did and with the likes of Graham, Hanson, Newcombe and Davies-Taylor making the hard yards, Ripon’s back were soon gaining opportunities to free flow. At just after half an hour of play, Collins seized his moment and with his electric pace and elusive running, broke through the defence to score Ripon’s opening try. Clark hit the upright with the conversion attempt but 8 – 17 was just reward for the team’s efforts.

Steadily gaining the upper hand, Ripon pieced together some constructive phases and with the clock running out towards the end of the first half, Bramley were well and truly on the back foot. A forty first minute penalty for a high tackle gave Ripon the inspiration to go for touch and a line out option in the Bramley 22. The catch and drive went well for some ten metres and then Davies-Taylor emerged from the back of the maul to brush off the defenders to touch down for Ripon’s second try. Clark made no mistake of the conversion for 15 – 17 as the half time whistle blew.

Ripon opened strongly in the second half and through Davies-Taylor, reclaimed the kick off and attack through Layne and Barker. Pressure in the visitors’ half led to dissent from Bramley and Clark nudged Ripon into the lead for the first time with a well-struck penalty goal for 18 – 17. The following twenty minutes saw witness to some enterprising and entertaining Rugby from both teams as they vied to find a way to take control of the game. After half an hour, just desserts came Ripon’s way and Clark extended their lead to 21 – 17 with another penalty goal from a ruck infringement.

As the game entered its final quarter, both sides were honours even in terms of attacking exploits and defensive resilience. Definitely a case of who would blink first. Ripon absorbed the late pressure well but just started to run out of steam in attack, with some ineffective finishing creeping in. A Bramley attack on the home line fizzled out through dramatic and courageous Ripon Defence and Graham heroically held up a line crossing. The goal line drop out didn’t create much headroom though and soon the visitors were knocking on the door again. A poor clearance kick gifted Bramley possession in the Ripon 22 and through quick hands and pace, the visitors ran in their fourth and bonus point earning try. The conversion missed, but at 21 – 22 and with two minutes to go, this was lining up for a nail-biting finale.

From the restart, Ripon pressed back into Bramley territory and into injury time a penalty advantage came “The Blues’” way. Unfortunately the penalty kick was just out of Clark’s range and the final whistle saw a frustrating 21 – 22 scoreline and Ripon left scratching their heads as to what they need to do to win. Without a win in four matches now, Ripon need to shake off the seasonal excesses and commit to restoring some pride in defending the home turf and getting back towards the top half of the league table. With a squad as talented as it is and committed coaching and support personnel, a light should appear that the end of the tunnel soon.

Next week, Ripon are back at home for more league action versus Old Otliensians on Saturday 25 January and the hope of better fortune. All support for the 2.15pm kick off will be very welcome.