Ripon 3rds travelled to Harrogate to take on the unbeaten Harrogate team in the there apparent “fortress” Claro Road ground .

The weather conditions were appalling for both sides and the game began on a waterlogged pitch which from the outset was obviously going to lend itself to a forwards game . Both teams started strongly which was to be expected in this local top of the table derby. Ripon had its usual strong 3rd team squad out with Team Captain George Campbell at 10 controlling things and firing kicks into the corners forcing the slower Harrogate forwards to turn in the squalid conditions to try and secure the ball .

Harrogate had a good set of backs out and given the opportunity to run they were proving that they could make inroads into the Ripon defence. The Ripon backrow of Chris Clegg , Neil White and James Tyreman were performing in there usual way knocking back the advances of the talented Harrogate Scrumhalf Ivan Drane( a player more accustomed to playing for Harrogate 2nd and 3rd teams than the 4ths as he was this week). Chris Clegg was as always tackling anything and everything and leading the Ripon forwards in a rousing display of confident ball handling in the second and 3rd phase rucking and mauling Ripon were producing.

Half time with Ripon leading 7 -0 thanks to the talented Dan “the hand off” Humphreys playing at inside centre who managed to break through the Harrogate defence in the way only Dan can to score a well deserved try which was converted by Ripon fullback Sean Nicholson

James Tyreman the Ripon N0 8 was injured and was replaced by Craig Sykes a player who is still recovering from a serious double fracture of his leg last season and is more used to playing on the wing than on the backrow but made an immediate impact when introduced and was eager to carry the ball when given the chance by the Campbell at 10 the influential Nipper at 9

Harrogate then rallied and began to grow in confidence and really took the game to Ripon and for long periods were encamped in the Ripon 22 and in the end there persistence paid off with a well deserved try. Ripon made two changes bringing on Matt Pascoe in the second row due to an injury to Will Champion and also bringing on Hugh Mortimer on the backrow in place of Chris Clegg.

Harrogate maintained their momentum and continued battering the Ripon defence which working well led in no small way by Mark Bulmer from Ripon’s secondrow who was having his game of the season. Harrogate pressure eventually proved to strong and the again went over to score a 2nd try thanks to their backrow , the try was left unconverted. Harrogate now led 10- 7 with 15 minutes to go.

That score seemed to inspire a determined Ripon team who set out to take the game to Harrogate which they did right from the re-start .There endeavour was rewarded with a try from the determined and influential Craig Sykes who got over the try line in now torrential conditions to make the score Harrogate 10-Ripon 12. Sean Nicholson missed the conversion

This set up a tense last 5 minutes with both sides playing some good rugby but at the final whistle Ripon were triumphant ! It was a win that Ripon fully deserved and every player put in a tremendous performance and should be extremely proud of a fantastic win

The fixture however was tainted by the Harrogate supporters and coach /players who took their defeat with no sportsmanship whatsoever and indeed were persistently abusive and vocal toward all Ripon players and management and to the Referee . If there was a reason to complain after the final whistle then they did , something we have come accustomed to when playing this fixture in the past .

NOTE

Harrogate made a number of complaints to the League about Ripon which put the result in jeopardy . The complaints are listed below

1. That we played more than 5 replacements when infact we only played 4

2. That we played 2 1st Team players in the backs which were named as Dan Humphreys and Craig Sykes when in fact thet have not played for the 1st Team in over year!!!

3. That we played and illegible 1 st Team player namely Ashley Plant in the front row when the League Rules quite clearly state that "the use of a front row player from any senior team within the club is allowed" in the interests of providing a competitive and safe front row ! Also at that point Ashley Plant had left Ripon RUFC and was not registered to play 1st Team Rugby at Ripon

4. That we played 2nd Team players in the 3rd team a statement which is totally stupid when Ripon 2nds were playing at home that day also

THE FIXTURE UNKNOWN TO OURSELVES WAS A DUAL C&N 2 LEAGUE GAME AND A YORKSHIRE CUP FIXTURE !!!

THE RFU AND C & N LEAGUE MANAGEMENT UPHELD PART OF HARROGATES COMPLAINT AND AND AS SUCH HAVE AWARDED RIPON RUFC WITH THE LEAGUE WIN AND HARROGATE WITH THE CUP WIN !!!!!!

THIS DECISION HAS BEEN APPEALED AS IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO BE REPRIMANDED AND THROWN OUT OF THE CUP AS A CLUB WHEN WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG !!!!

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