Ripon travelled the considerable distance to the wilds of the Yorkshire Wolds and through a top notch team effort, came out worthy winners over stiff opposition. A five league point win, including two bonus points is no mean feat at home or away, but given the distance travelled to fulfil the fixture and the disruption caused by a couple of late changes, this was a significant turning point in The Blues’ fortunes and set the tone for the rest of the season. Quickly glossing over last week’s momentous victory, this was from the outset, destined to be a tougher test for Ripon in many respects. Getting the journey out of the way, adjusting to players being out of normal position and rising to the challenge of opposition whose 1st XV play three divisions higher up the pecking order, were all grist to the mill for Ripon and through grit and determination, the victory for The Blues was complete.

A game definitely of two halves, in which Ripon dominated into the wind and held their nerve against both a stiff breeze and spirited opposition. Turning around 10 – 20, there were no foregone conclusions for Ripon and the boys in blue knew they were in a game. The second half saw Ripon on the back foot for extended periods, as their hosts dug deep into their repertoire to stay in contention. Regrettably, once again it was Ripon’s indiscipline that was the difference between the two sides, with The Blues again conceding almost double the number of penalties than their opponents. Three second half yellow cards against Ripon didn’t help and whilst reduced to thirteen men for the final few minutes of the match, The Blues held on by their fingernails. A late consolation try through weight of numbers, gave the hosts a more creditable score and a valuable try bonus point though. A matter to address on the training paddock and in the changing rooms: paying attention to the referee is a key area of the game by which results stand or fall. Currently Ripon have ploughed on to victory despite being heavily penalised. This is unlikely to continue against other opponents who could exploit the advantage, as well as develop a bad reputation with match officials.

This week’s selection showed promise, with only five changes from the previous week’s outing. Recalls came for Elliot Fearn at Tight Head, the only change in the pack’s starting line up and for Niall “Antonelli” Maddock, guesting on the Wing. The latter put in a powerful display of strong running and defensive commitment, bagging two tries and the man of the match accolade. Max Marston rejoined the squad at Scrum Half after a long lay off and put in a shift as if he’d never been away. Other changes came in the form of Harry Drane stepping out to Number 10 in Clark’s absence and acquitting himself with honour, apart from a moment of indecision late on in the game. The final change was the fitting debut for Colt Will Clough, starting on the bench and offering huge potential when he gets the chance for more game time.

The remainder of the squad demonstrated a commitment to field as consistent side as possible each week and reap the benefits of squad members playing regularly together. The pack performed admirably with only the one change from last week and dominated the set piece throughout. The effective driving play from line outs was particularly of note and enabled The Blues to gain much territorial advantage. The unlikely relationship of Fletcher and Graham in the Centres also yielded significant results, with much yardage gained and plenty of physicality.
The opposition, to their credit, set out from the start to play wide and avoid an arm wrestle up front. Ripon covered well at all times and stifled countless attacks through committed tackling and competition at the breakdown, Tom Austin reigning supreme in the turnover challenge.

Had Ripon retained enough players on the pitch in the second half, the opposition would doubtless have been less able to play and score as many tries as they did. Thankfully the Driffield goal kicker wasn’t on point for the day and in all they missed three conversions and two penalty goal attempts. Had they been successful, a draw or even a loss may have been on the cards for Ripon, so very much not a runaway victory, but a brilliant boost for the Ripon lads whose efforts on and off the pitch are giving results.

In bright, chilly and breezy conditions, Ripon kicked off into the wind and soon put the hosts under pressure. Two early penalties gave Ripon territorial advantage and from the second, a mighty drive from the line out took the pack some 25 metres and gave Tom Austin the opening try. Cooper converted for 0 – 7. After just 10 minutes of play, a further home offence gave James Cooper another shot at goal for the penalty and 0 – 10 for The Blues.

Despite Ripon’s early pressure, Driffield were keen to play out of trouble and sensing that they didn’t have a recognised tactical or place kicker, looked to run everything. At fifteen minutes, a home counter attack enabled their speedy Wing some space to move and after some miscommunication in the Ripon defence, the hosts scored their first try for 5 – 10. Within four minutes, Ripon were back on the rampage and after Maddock fielded a clearance kick and set up the counter involving Fletcher and Binks, the “Ginger Ninja” was on hand to complete the move for his first try. The wind was unkind to Cooper’s conversion attempt, but 5 – 15 was looking good for Ripon.

As the game entered its second quarter, Ripon’s dominance of the line out was consolidating and from a penalty touch kick, the might blue machine trundled on for Dan Rayner to touch down. Cooper’s conversion was “gone with the wind” again, but at 5 – 20 and a Ripon try bonus point, this looked like a game well and truly going Ripon’s way.

The hosts had other thoughts however and in the final five minutes, after narrowly missing a penalty goal attempt, Driffield kept up their territorial advantage from the drop out. Repeated thrusts towards the Ripon line eventually paid off when play switched wide again. The missed conversion heralded the half time whistle and with the score at the break of 10 – 20, this was not over by any means.

The second half kick-off provided the finest spectacle of the game, when Rayner leapt like a gazelle to receive the ball. Graham was instrumental in taking the play forward from the breakdown before switching play to the right. Maddock was on hand on the half way line to use his considerable bulk and fancy footwork, to cover the remaining 50 metres of the pitch in a “Lomu-esque” display of battering ram rugby. Smashing through some five tackles, Maddock raised Ripon’s spirits no end and with Cooper’s conversion for 10 – 27, things were looking brighter. The rest of the early second half exchanges however, went all the way of the hosts and conceding three penalties within the next six minutes, Ripon could have been excused for thinking they’d walked into a parallel universe in which they could do no right. A theme that continued for the rest of the half. With Rayner despatched to the sin bin after only seven minutes of the half, the hosts opted for a penalty scrum. Exploiting numbers out wide, Driffield ran in their third unconverted try for 15 – 27.

Thereafter, the match went through a somewhat fallow period, with both sides parrying and thrusting, to no gain. The seemingly myriad penalties being awarded to the hosts did them no good as far as scoring was concerned, but led Ripon to become more frustrated rather than questioning what they could do differently. The deadlock was broken just after the start of the final quarter, when after series of drives towards the home line, the Ripon pack was energised by the injection of Tom Graham, who powered over for The Blues’ fifth and final try. Cooper converted for 15 – 34 and Ripon were hoping that would be that.

The double whammy of the loss of Evans, yellow carded for alleged breakdown offences, gave the hosts a spring in their step. The pace of the game in the closing stages hotted up and despite deploying Colts Reynard and Clough into the fray, Ripon struggled to match the pace and intensity of the opposition attacks with just fourteen players on the pitch. Insult was added to injury with Wharton’s despatch with a yellow card. From the ensuing penalty, Driffield exploited Ripon’s numbers out wide and through a speedy overlap, secured their fourth and bonus point winning try. The conversion rubbed salt in Ripon’s wounds and with the final whistle settling the match at 22 – 34, Ripon were glad of the win and the reassurance that this squad at least has resilience as well as talent and fitness.

A match played in good spirit by both teams and a fine exhibition again of what’s on offer from higher placed clubs’ second teams. Clearly there will be players in opposition squads with ambitions of playing at regional if not national level regularly. Ripon’s challenge is to work with the players available, bind them into a cohesive squad and bond them to the commitment of maximising their competitive potential.
Next weekend Ripon will enjoy a home fixture for a change and entertain Malton & Norton 2nd XV in their next league encounter. All home support at Mallorie Park will be very welcome for the 3.00pm kick off.