Ripon 2nd vs Leodiensians 2 - Saturday 28th October

Ripon travelled to Crag Lane in North Leeds, with what can best be described as an aspirational squad to take on high flyers Leos in this critical Merit Table encounter to keep them alive and kicking in the top half of the table. Aspirational in that with four, at best five recognisable backs in the squad, the hope was for a relatively steadily paced forward dominated encounter. Not achieved unfortunately, due the home recruiting drive that saw their side bolstered with a full back line up of local students and three of this season’s current 1st XV squad returning from injury. The pace of the game was by no means steady, but despite some speedy counter-attacking from the hosts, The Blues didn’t let the game run away from them.

Aspirational in that with only one replacement, Ripon would have the resilience and fortitude to forego the luxury of replacing tired legs or injuries with fresh stock. Fortunately no injuries or refereeing decisions depleted the Ripon contingent further and Simon “Supersub” Rudsdale, put in a massive second half shift worthy of many a quarter of his age.

And finally, aspirational that with two tight forwards playing in midfield, that the side would manage to keep it’s structure and shape in attack and defence. Less successful in this area and whether it was the faux pas of not slipping a copy of the playbook into one of the Centre’s socks for ready reference; or the sheer pace of the young Leos’ attacking play, probably the latter, is a fair answer. Try as they might, The Blues’ backs got caught out wide and in both attack and defence, weren’t able to live up to the glory of previous week’s performances.

On a really positive note, the hastily put together side, was a genuine 2nd XV and was the actual sum total of available players for the weekend. A shocking contrast from the previous week when over 50 adult players graced the hallowed turf of Mallorie Park and when the second 2nd XV ran out a closer second place to what purported to be the same Leos team, but had a distinctly different feel to it. The brave Ripon 16 stuck to what they could make of a game plan for the full 80 minutes, in difficult “Dreich” conditions and a very heavy pitch, which had apparently suffered the indignity of nine consecutive days of rainfall. Thank heavens for Leos’ off-season investment of £10,000 in a pitch drainage scheme to prevent the build up of unwanted water on their otherwise good sized and flat playing surface.

And a final finally… credit to the leadership on and off the field for stand in captain of the day and winning a player of the day award for his troubles, Keith Anderson, for respecting the referee, the opposition, the playing conditions, putting in another cracker of a shift and keeping the Ripon discipline intact to concede no more that three Penalties in each half. A fine example of what can be achieved through good communications with the official and great discipline in the areas of the game where contention could lead to offences.

No disrespect to anyone, but selection this week literally looked like anyone who could play, did so. Grateful we are for those 16 who put playing Rugby before any of the other myriad distractions that must have been too much for the other at least 35 players, who could have put themselves forward.

Up front, skipper, man of the match, aspiring club elder and all-round good guy Keith Anderson started and finished at Loose Head and put in an energetic and influential performance for the 80 minutes. Rob Fielden showed great leadership and versatility by starting at Hooker and drifting out into the Centres as personnel changes demanded. Tommy McCree propped at Tight Head with a typically gritty and Try-scoring performance. What do you do when you can’t decide between blonde or blue hair? Have no hair and Tommy’s new look pate took years off his appearance and added yards to his pace; so important in his Try-scoring burst.

The second row saw Ashley Plant knuckling down well in the tight and carrying hard in the loose and Joe Middlemiss making huge dents in the opposition with his abrasive tackling and some solid carries. The back row had everything that could be offered: Mark Hooley at Blind Side, thankfully leaving his guide dog in good hands on the touchline, with his sage wisdom and precise understanding of when to, or not to tackle. Fin Middlemiss at Open Side, all knees and elbows when running and would be devasting when carrying, worked a treat in the line out, as did “Middle Draney” Jacob Drane at Number 8; showing courage and presence where it mattered.

In the backs, the quintessential Patrick Whitaker opened the line up at Scrum Half and with his characteristic “guess which way I’m passing” routine delivered on point from all phases of Ripon possession.

James Cooper was a shoe in at Number 10 with his youthful exuberance and skilful play-making. A second half Try was reward for his efforts, though with two missed conversion attempts, this wasn’t his happiest of days. The Centres saw the most alarming of partnerships, with Sam Bern guesting at Inside, with his direct Hooker-like style of play and Alex Mohan at Outside, with his no-nonsense approach as well. Powerful if not pacey in attack and all heart, so no disgrace and without their valiant defensive contributions, the score line could have looked very different.

The Wings like the back row, had a bit of a Ying and Yang feel to them, with Will Mountford adding youth and pace and Nigel Brewster adding guile and guile, gained from years of experience of playing virtually every position from 1 to 15 and back again. Completing the lineup was the evergreen Simon Rudsdale, hoping that he would only be required to replace a Prop and from gaining his wish, repaid with fervour in the second half.

A game of two virtually indistinguishable halves in the damp gloom and in which Ripon lost the first half 17 – 5 and the second half 19 – 5. Also in a marked similarity, where Ripon won the Penalty count 3 – 6 in the first half and 3 – 8 in the second, at least The Blues were consistent in their scoring, their all-round efforts and their discipline. The first half saw an awful lot of midfield play with Ripon rarely venturing into the home 22, with the hosts scoring two Converted Tries and a Penalty Goal. With the first half drawing into its final minutes and 17 – 0 down, a succession of Ripon lunges toward the home line after a tap Penalty, saw Tom McCree credited for The Blues’ Try scoring lunge. Very much a team effort with most of the pack involved in scraping forward inch by inch. It’s not the distance covered, but the points that count.

The second half went pretty much the same way as the first, just the other way round on the pitch and considerably darker. The only difference really, was Ripon’s intent to come out of the blocks fighting and get on the scoreboard early. The hosts did well to stifle Ripon’s passion and concerted efforts but at 20 minutes into the second period, The Blues put together their most cohesive attacking play of the game. Plant broke free from a maul to plough through the first line of defence and opened up play with a feed to Joe Middlemiss to take play on to release Anderson. Mohan joined in the move to add bulk against the Leos midfield and then found Drane in support, who linked with Fin Middlemiss. Cooper cropped up on the end to round the last line of defence and take the ball to touch down as near to the posts as possible. Close, but no cigar, as Cooper’s Conversion attempt drifted frustratingly wide.

The Leos’ response in the final quarter was quite emphatic and with two further Converted Tries to no reply, the score rather flattered the hosts and certainly didn’t leave Ripon with any feeling of despondency. Had different players been available to alter selection decisions or even allow for a full squad of 18 players, who knows or who cares. Ripon fielded 16 loyal and committed players who gave their all on that damp Saturday afternoon to keep the team in 6th place in their table. Who could ask for anything more?

Next week Ripon 2nd XV continue their Merit League activities at home to Baildon and the 1st XV travel to Baildon to carry on their Counties 2 Yorkshire fixtures against third placed Baildon 1sts. Kick offs for all games now move to the winter timing of 2.15pm and all travelling and home supporters are very welcome.