Ilkley 2nds/3rds vs Ripon 2nd XV - Saturday 7th October 2023

With no league action this week and the unfortunate withdrawal of Ripon’s Yorkshire Shield opponents, the club were keen to get a game to keep some playing momentum going and take the opportunity to try out some different squad combinations. Ilkley were happy to oblige and fielded a combined side to accommodate Ripon’s needs but didn’t quite bank on the strength of The Blues’ squad in what turned out to be a 10 Try rout for the visitors.
In sunny, mild and still conditions, Ripon systematically dissected their opposition, in an impressive display of teamwork, adherence to structure and superior pace and fitness. Admittedly, many of the host’s squad were bigger and heavier and looked to have significant experience at a higher playing level, but it was Ripon’s superior cohesion, composure and pace that made the difference. To their credit, Ilkley competed strongly at the set piece but not enough to deny The Blues bucket loads of quality possession and scored three Tries to make the scoreline a tad more respectable.
In all, a solid display of near perfect execution and whilst discipline was an irritant as far as keeping on the right side of the referee was concerned, all three of the home scores arose from Penalties and so a clear warning to tighten up the areas of the game where offences are liable to be noticed. For Ripon, every opportunity to break loose was taken and with clever positional kicking and precision support play, from the opening minutes of the game, the result was never in any doubt, just by how many points would Ripon win by.
The squad selection saw a good blend of youth and experience with eight regular 1st XV starters out of the 20-man team. Starting up front and making the Number 1 jersey at Loose Head his own, Skipper of the day Keith Anderson, put in a rollicking performance in the set piece and around the park, bagging his second hat trick of the season, with two first half and one second half Try. Rob Fielden put in a tidy performance at Hooker and claimed the game’s second Try early in the first half. George Evans completed the triumvirate at Tight Head and whilst not getting on the scoreboard, made good ground carrying and some important assists. The second row had an agricultural feel to it and saw the starting line-up of John Houseman and Callum Brown provide plenty of strength in the set piece and at the breakdown. James Pearce added to the scoreline with the final Try of the day from the Open Side berth and contributed purposefully to all phases of play. Noah Whitley added some close ground support capability at Blind Side and Jacob Drane completed the pack, with a commendable performance at Number 8, ruling the air in the line out and making good yards from the scrum base.
In the backs, the small but effective theme continued with the selection of new signing Jimmy Goddard at Scrum Half, who put in a massive display of determination and doggedness. Occupying the Number 10 berth was Mikey Bray, who as well as giving a masterclass in mobilising the back line with ball in hand or tactical kicking, knocked over Conversions for eight of the ten Tries to claim 16 personal points. The Centres saw Archie Thompson and Harvey Hooley offer an exciting partnership with Thompson showing grit defensively and creating gaps and Hooley exploiting every inch of space available, both of whom scored a Try apiece. The Wings saw Matt Binks on the Left turn in a blistering second hat trick winning performance of the season and youngster Ben Garrett on the Right, who whilst not getting on the scoresheet, caused problems in attack with his powerful direct running. Bringing up the rear was Morgan Clark, looking to excite with his defensive strength and counter attacking flair.
On the bench finishing for the forwards were Tom Sowerby, Iain Barker and Sam Bern, with Max Marston and Matt Crowther looking to refresh the back line. The latter delivering a “Player of the Day” performance by remaining cool, calm and collected in front of the baying mob of his former Ilkley clubmates and putting a solid second half shift.
The first half saw Ripon kick off and gain immediate advantage from the knocked-on receipt attempt. Sustaining the territorial pressure, it was only four minutes into the game that Garrett handled twice in a move that switched sides before Thompson straightened up to cross the whitewash with Bray Converting for 0 – 7. Less than five minutes later, Clark made good ground from a defensive clearance, to release Hooley to inject some pace. Anderson was on hand to pick up the loose ball from the tackle and unselfishly fed Fielden on his shoulder to cross the line. Bray’s second Conversion went the same way for 0 – 14.
At 15 minutes, Garrett recovered a defensive kick out and ploughed up his wing. Thompson brought play infield to feed Bray, who sold an outrageous dummy to wrong foot the defence and make some yards before offloading to the omnipresent Anderson to touch down for the first of his three Tries. Bray did the honours with the conversion for 0 – 21.
Next up at 22 minutes, was Anderson’s second Try after another Clark – Garrett double act to penetrate deep into the hosts half. Some clever recycling by Pearce saw the ball come back infield for Drane to slip a tackle and offload to Anderson to touch down. Bray, well into his groove, knocked the Conversion over for 0 – 28. This was the wake-up call to Ilkley, who started to piece together some threatening phases. From a 27th minute Penalty for a scrum offence, Ripon didn’t retire quickly enough, so the retaken tap caught them unawares and let the opposition in for their first Try. With no Conversion, the scoreboard went to 5 – 28. The remaining 10 minutes or so, saw a flurry of Penalties against Ripon for different offences and the hosts starting to gain some momentum with their plays. Their reward came on the stroke of half time, when after another Penalty, Ilkley opted for a scrum and their burly Number 8 broke to evade the first couple of tackles to feed his Wing. At the next breakdown, the giant 8 was on hand again to trundle over the last few yards and with the Conversion, took the score to a more respectable 12 – 28 at the break.
The second period started in the same vein as the first ended and with Ripon making some changes from the bench, The Blues took a while to settle down into their rhythm again. It wasn’t until the 13th Minute that they finally clicked when Binks worked his magic and in open play, chipped the defence to recover the ball and sprint in for the first of his three Tries. Bray kept the scoreboard ticking over with his fifth Conversion for 12 – 35.
The hosts fought back again and from a Penalty line out on 16 minutes, expecting the catch and drive, Ripon stood off, allowing a solitary player to break through to score their third unconverted Try for 17 – 35. Undeterred, Ripon retaliated strongly with a midfield build up between Barker and Houseman, Anderson and Bern drove up the right touchline before unleashing Binks for his second Try, with Bray Converting again for 17 – 42.
A further four minutes passed before Ripon were again in the driving seat and Hooley weaved his way through the defence to score next and with Bray seemingly unstoppable from the tee, took the score to 17 – 49. As the game drifted into the final 10 minutes, Anderson struck again for his third after supporting a break by Thompson. Perhaps weary from so much kicking, Bray was just wide with his tee shot and left the score at 17 – 54.
At 34 minutes, Binks added his third Try to the scoreboard after supporting a break built up by Brown, Thompson and Hooley. Bray uncharacteristically missed again to take the score to 17 – 59 and the game pretty much out of sight. Just moment later, from the restart came Ripon’s final Try, which was straight out of the text book. Thompson recovered the kick off to feed Bray to exit. Seeing a chink in the oncoming opposition, Bray jinked and weaved through the crowd to feed Pearce in close support. The mobile Flanker opened his legs and pinned his ears back for the 50-metre dash for the line and made the last kick easy for Bray by touching down between the posts. Obligingly, Bray bagged the final Conversion to take his personal tally to 16 points and Ripon’s total to 17 – 66.
Sensing the mood of the game well and probably exhausted from so much end to end running the Referee thoughtfully blew for full time two minutes early and put and end to Ilkley’s misery.
A good run out for a mixed bag of players, showing so many positives. Strength in depth of the squad and detailed understanding of all the players as to their roles in maintaining their structure. Credit to the squad members of all ages, for their strong commitment to training and learning together as a team.
Next week Ripon 1st XV return to Counties 2 Yorkshire League action with a trip to newly promoted Hemsworth. Kick off remains at 3.00pm until the end of the month and all travelling supporters are welcome.