Back on home territory, Ripon eventually came good to overpower a physical Halifax side, whose commitment to compete at every phase of the game, belied their lowly league position and showed their determined fight to avoid relegation. In still and spring-like conditions, Ripon exploited their pace out wide, as well as using a strong set piece, to bag five tries and a five-point home win in front of a sizeable crowd at Mallorie park. Another strong team performance, but sadly no change to Ripon’s seventh place in Counties 2 Yorkshire, putting then level-pegging on points with Baildon, the latter having a game in hand.

With squad changes thankfully back into single figures this week, there were just five recalls and two positional changes, which allowed for a more settled side than of recent weeks and the pre-match focus on patience and discipline paid off. With Ripon conceding only eight penalties all game and the opposition conceding nearly twice as many and suffering two yellow cards, The Blues capitalised on the extra man pretty well and remained composed throughout, despite a late surge from the guests in the closing stages of the game.

With the usual Fijian contingent being unavailable again and possibly for some time to come, selection focused on current form and fitness. Seeking stability where practical, James Cooper retained his Full Back jersey as did the chronologically gifted Jason Bell, making his second successive appearance on the Right Wing. Zak Kirby was recalled to the left Wing and showed a hunger to get involved in the action any time any place anywhere. His somewhat nervous attempt at charging down a conversion needs working on, but with his pace, Zak certainly covered plenty of ground well.

Tom Graham retained the Outside Centre berth, showing his versatility and willing compliance with selection decisions. Jacob Drane completed the midfield line up at Inside Centre with a typically abrasive and unexpectedly full 80-minute performance. Morgan Clark started at Number 10 for the 13th consecutive match, being the only player amongst the so far 49 players who have contributed to the squad this season, to have occupied the same position for so long and so many games in a row. Clark also had a reasonable day with his new boots (Which rumour had it could be seen from space), converting over 50% of the day’s tries and bagging a penalty goal to contribute nine more points to his season tally to date of 146. Player Coach Alex Riley completed the back line, happy with a run out in his preferred position of Scrum Half.

The pack saw a thankfully stable front five selection the same as the previous week. Keith “Hat-trick avoidance” Anderson started at Loose Head Prop and manfully managed the succession of Prop replacements the opposition put in his way. Clearly reserving some energy from the scrum effort added to his try scoring ability, which with this game’s brace took him to four this season. Skipper James Pearce started at Hooker and with his first half try took his season’s tally to three so far. Completing the triumvirate was the time-honoured treasure that is Adam Newcombe at Tight Head prop, celebrating his forthcoming wedding in style with a solid gold performance on the pitch and a creditable yard of ale consumption post-match. The engine room of the second row comprised the now familiar pairing of Iain Barker and Billy Fletcher, who both held the scrums steady and were instrumental in the bulk behind the successful driving mauls throughout the match. Billy breaking his duck for the season, with Ripon’s opening try.

The back row took the brunt of the team changes, with the gritty Tom Austin recalled to occupy the Blind Side berth and acquitting himself admirably through what could only be described as a not so subtle blend of MMA and “who dares wins” encounters. Jordan Layne rejoined the squad at Open Side and completed the rout of the visitors with the final try of the game. Elliot Davies-Taylor retained the Number 8 jersey from last week and put in a well-deserved man of the match performance and whilst not getting on the score sheet this week, covered hundreds of metres carrying and still holds the season to date try scoring record of ten touch downs.

The “bomb squad” bench saw an all-forward line up, with Jack Stiddard the nominated front row replacement adding some strength and stability to the scrum late on. Joe Middlemiss covered the utility forward berth and added some go forward to the team’s defensive capability. Harry Veitch, whilst on standby to cover the backs, managed to escape the challenge and added to the pack’s agility in the second half.
Billy Fletcher opened the scoring for Ripon on ten minutes after a succession of penalties against the visitors. A tap and go from Alex Riley fed Elliot Davies-Taylor before Fletcher Jnr powered over from short range. The Blues then extended their lead just into the second quarter, when another successful driving maul from a penalty line out, saw skipper James Pearce emerge from the melee after touching down. Morgan Clark added the conversion for 12 – 0 and the first of his nine points from his nice new boots for the day. We won’t talk about his first one.

On the half hour, with Ripon in the driving seat, Halifax suffered their first yellow card for a breakdown offence. Ripon’s slick attacking move broke down in the opposition 22 however and a well-timed interception of Cooper’s pass intended for Bell, saw a break out by the opposition and Halifax’s first try. Speedy Kirby’s attempted charge down of the conversion caused the kicker sufficient confusion as to miss the extra points. The first half played out to a 12 – 5 conclusion, with The Blues building the pressure steadily and some strong running from man of the match Davies-Taylor in the pack and Zak Kirby out wide.

The second half saw a dream start for Ripon, with Clark’s brilliant new boot kick going deep and causing all manner of disruption to the visitors’ defence. Regaining possession, Ripon’s pack again took the advantage of their pace and agility and this time ever-ready Keith Anderson plunged over the remaining inches from the driving maul, for the first of his two tries. Clark converted for 19 – 5 with his sometimes magic new boot and Halifax started looking out of sorts. As the third quarter neared completion, a surging run from Kirby took the home attack deep into enemy territory and Anderson was on hand to plunge over the line again from about half a metre, to finish the move with his second, Ripon’s fourth and bonus point winning try. Clark’s conversion fell by the wayside, his new boots finally losing their magic, but the 24 – 5 scoreline was getting more comfortable for The Blues overall.

Clark added to the guests’ woes on seventy minutes with a well-struck penalty goal for 27 – 5, boots back in working order and Ripon seemingly out of sight. When Halifax were reduced to 14 men again with their second yellow card, another penalty line out catch and drive was inevitable and this time Jordan Layne was in the pocket to touch down for Ripon’s fifth and final try. Clark eased the conversion over for 34 – 5 and Ripon looked like settling into a relaxing final few minutes.

Playing into injury time, Halifax licked their wounds and came back fighting for perhaps their most intensive period of play of the game. After a succession of three quickly taken penalties, the bulky visitors, forced their way up to and over the home line for a consolation unconverted try. The final score of 34 – 10 gave Halifax some of the credibility they deserved for a stern contest in which they never backed down. Rewarding for Ripon was their solid team play, patience in building up phases and excellent disciplinary effort. Noting that all Ripon’s tries were scored by forwards and came from carefully controlled and executed set piece or resulting second phase play, this bodes well for a Ripon side periodically lacking in composure and patience. A lot to build on in terms of cohesive forward power in securing and sustain momentum. Encouraging also in that it paves the way for more fluid team play as the pack builds on its presence and the remaining games exploit the full potential of Ripon’s talented backs.

Ripon now turn their attention to next week’s away game versus struggling Ossett and The Blues look to enhance their league position further. Kick off at 2.15 and all travelling support welcome.