This season’s opener to the newly established league structure, saw Ripon’s first encounter with a second team from a higher division and a less than optimal result for The Blues and their loyal supporters. Despite a strong start by Ripon and an early lead, which they clung onto for half an hour, the Mallorie Park outfit succumbed to the faster pace and more precise execution from their visitors. Perhaps the seven tries to one scoreline flattered East Coast opponents Hull Ionians somewhat, Ripon dug deep to defend well for long periods and apart from a flash of brilliance that led to Billy Fletcher’s late try, the hosts spent most of the second half chasing shadows.

Not a disgrace by any means and with The Blues making the most of the players available on the day, as well as fielding a full 2nd XV in their first league encounter, the sizeable crowd at Mallorie Park enjoyed a fast and flowing game in clement conditions. This wasn’t exactly total rugby from Ionians, with Ripon demonstrating a solid set piece that yielded much quality first phase possession. The key difference between the two sides was the intensity and fluidity of the opposition, with and without the ball, which exploited their possession to the maximum and stifled Ripon’s attacking opportunities. Another really positive note was Ripon’s creditable disciplinary performance, conceding just two penalties in the first half and four in the second. Considering the stress that The Blues were under at times, their cool heads and respect for the laws were noteworthy and hopefully set the tone for the rest of the season.

This week’s selection was somewhat of a challenge, with some notable absentees from the regular squad. With no new signings and several “adult rugby-ready” Colts bolstering the 2nd XV, this squad had a familiar look to it, with some fresh faces to the starting line-up. Elliot Fearn made his first start at Loose Head, having benched a few times last season, as did Callum Burton at Hooker. Both acquitted themselves well in the set piece and the latter showing his mobility in open play. The primordial Adam Newcombe solidly grounded the Tight Head berth and added his usual maturity and on field leadership. The second row had a “small but perfectly formed feel to it with try scoring Billy Fletcher and Tom Austin locking the scrum and adding pace and grit to open play. The back row promised pace, excitement and go forward, with man of the match Allan Hudson at Open Side, pitting his wits against his former club with some aplomb. Jordan Layne grafted well at Blind Side and Elliot Davies-Taylor put in a trademark barn-storming performance at Number Eight.

The backs saw an eclectic mix of last season’s regulars, with the welcome inclusion of Freddy Wharton guesting at Outside Centre and making a welcome return to league rugby after a long lay off and a summer of sevens competitions to get him back in the swing of things. Harry Drane was a shoe in at Scrum Half and James Cooper ably managed the midfield at Number 10, with a strong distribution game under high pressure conditions. Tom Graham gave another powerful performance at Inside Centre, with some high calibre runs. The Wings were occupied by speed merchants Zak Kirby and Olly Lang-Burns, both of whom made plenty of breaks but were unfortunate in avoiding the score sheet. Will Barrett brought up the rear at Full Back. The bench had a “Bomb Squad” feel to it, with Dan Rayner and Harry Veitch offering forward options and the piece de resistance was the late call up of Head Coach Adam Scott Paul as third replacement, who put in a wrecking ball display from the back of the scrum for the final fifteen minutes.

Ripon kicked off downhill, with the slight breeze and the sun at their backs and benefitted from visitors’ indiscipline to the tune of three penalties in the first ten minutes. James Cooper got Ripon onto the scoreboard with a penalty goal on the ninth minute for 3 – 0. That’s where the score remained for some thirty minutes as both sides steadily found their groove. It was the first quarter that saw Ripon play some of their most enterprising Rugby, with powerful running from the likes of Davies-Taylor, Austin and Graham. Ionians broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when after repeated thrusts at the home line over some six phases offered their first try and conversion for 3 – 7.

As the end of the first half drifted into extra time, Ionians picked up the pace again and camped in the Ripon 22 for the dying moments of the game. The visitors’ determination in attack was again rewarded with a further try after some pounding on the home line. The conversion attempt bounced harmlessly off the posts, leaving the half time score at 3 – 12 and The Blues sensing they were in with a chance of a recovery.
The second half started inauspiciously for Ripon as the Ionians high and deep kick off got the hosts into all sorts of bother. The fumbled recovery led to an Ionians’ scrum on the Ripon 22, from which they launched a pacey first phase attack to the right. Encountering stiff defence from Graham and Hudson, the attack was switched back to the left again and finding the course of least resistance, ran in their third try. No conversion was forthcoming, but the scoreline of 3 – 17 prompted The Blues to start asking questions of themselves.

With just ten minutes of the half played, Ripon got into more bother after a miscommunication from a free kick from a mark, Ionians seized the initiative and struck back for a try in the top right corner and a conversion for 3 – 24 and a try bonus point for the visitors. The agony was piled on just five minutes later when another attack at pace saw Ionians break through the cover and claim another converted try for 3 – 31 and Ripon looking for divine inspiration.

Just when it looked like Ripon were gradually taking control of their possession, with some good break outs, a deep kick from Ionians gave Ripon a defensive five metre scrum. A miscommunication at the base of a cleanly taken Ripon ball enabled the visitor Scrum Half to pounce to touch down for Ionians’ sixth try and with the conversion, a seemingly unassailable 3 – 38.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man and the 70th minute emergence onto the pitch of club legend and Head Coach Scott Paul to add his considerable experience to the fray and some aggressive go-forward from the base of the scrum. The impact was immediately apparent when Ripon pressed to within a sniff of the Ionians line and were granted a five metre scrum. The Blues trudged towards the line with Scott Paul in control at the rear. Drane quickly shifted the ball right for Fletcher, then playing in the Centre, to clatter over for Ripon’s consolation try. Cooper’s conversion attempt didn’t quite have the legs and Ripon settled for 8 – 38.

Final honours however, went to Ionians, with a cruel blow delivered from a turnover from a Ripon break out. The unexpected change in possession wrong-footed The Blues and enabled the visiting Full Back a free run in for Ionians’ seventh and final try. The conversion attempt hit the woodwork for a final score of 8 – 43 and a welcome final whistle.

As mentioned previously, the final scoreline flattered the visitors and wasn’t true testament to the grit and determination of the Ripon lads who fought for the full eighty minutes. This was the first experience of the new league set up and established the shape of things to come. Whilst most of the opposition for Ripon in this division will be second teams, they will inevitably be of decent quality and calibre and will offer more stern tests for The Blues.
Ripon take a break next weekend and return to league action on 10th October with the mouthwatering prospect of an away Derby fixture versus old friends and rivals Northallerton. All travelling support welcome for the 3.00pm kick off.