3rd XV Match Report - Saturday 5th November

A strong display of rugby from the Riponians after a shaky first 10 minutes, Ripon showed a lack of shape and perhaps wariness allowing visitors Yarnbury to command the field and smash over their first try within minutes of the starting whistle. Ripon players are well aware that it often takes the opening minutes of the game to wake up and shake up (no-one seems to know why) but wake up they did; firing out of the traps after kick off like a team possessed, Yarnbury were soon on the back foot.

Captain Champion rallied the troops by powering his way over the line with his usual grace. Minutes later Vice Captain Hooley Hammered home a second try from a quick offload from Spaniard Castan which was promptly converted by Whittaker leaving the half time score 12-5 Ripon settled into the second half well with Yarnbury having little answer to the onslaught other than to kick clear whenever they had possession. This played excellently into the hands of Harvey and Leeming who charged back securing 3 tries between them.

Stirling defensive play from Tyreman and Hudson who snuffed any offensive runs and made some devastating tackles between them. Barker was pivotal in bolstering the line out and a number of aggressive runs. Outside centre C Lawrence increased the score gap with another try and 2 conversions from Whittaker. Yarnbury finished the game with a try from a lone penalty runner leaving the final score 34-10 to Ripon.

Man of the match was a tough call this week with many stand out players as mentioned and others including Stores-dale for good scrummaging work and an impressive 10m carry. In the end it went to Benjamin Gemmell for an impressive game at number 8, carrying consistently and always recovering the ball making everyone’s game a fraction easier. Next week the 3rds are travelling away to Moortown and I hope we maintain impetus and keep the wins coming in.