Ripon travelled to Otley, with some confidence in giving their unbeaten opponents a tough test, if not gain a well-deserved win after two league defeats so far. Under the watchful gaze of The Chevin, hardly the Bavarian Alps though, The Blues fought hard for eighty minutes and a little bit more, to restore their pride and try to end their recent losing streak. Whilst the promise of an entertaining evening at the club’s “Oktoberfest” celebration raised spirits considerably, Ripon were very much focused on the matter in hand and set out to get a decent outcome from the match and put an end to the host’s unbeaten run. In a high scoring match that came from very humble beginnings, Ripon led 5 – 12 at the break and looked set for that elusive win. The second half was a ten try spree, with the hosts just taking the edge scoring seven to the visitors’ six overall and leaving Ripon with a losing and try bonus point to their credit. Ripon set out to play with intensity, patience and discipline. The first was evident in fits and starts, the patience was there for long periods of stern defensive play despite the score line and as for the latter, well after a good start, the good favour of the man in the middle was well and truly lost. With penalties conceded back in double figures and resulting in 28 points being given up, this remains an area of development for The Blues. Overall a better outing for Ripon with the comfort of scoring more than a handful of tries and not ending the game pointless. More to do regarding game management, but with continuing changes to personnel, that remains a challenge to build a consistent squad.

Both teams looked to exploit power and pace in their back divisions and whilst the hosts had a reasonably sized pack, apart from the use of one up runners, they didn’t create much impact. Ripon got the better of set piece exchanges and stifled most of the hosts’ first phase attacking options. Old Otliensians, did however, gain the upper hand at the breakdown, with their speedier back row and either turned over Ripon possession when caught, or forced penalties. The hosts also benefitted from their overall sharpness and capitalised on Ripon’s second half indiscretions by scoring three of their seven tries from quickly taken tap penalties. A lesson in pace and intensity The Blues will take.

Not detracting from the six try scoreline and lengthy periods in which Ripon defended admirably, the challenge for The Blues, was consistent execution of attacking plays, which rarely passed the five phase mark, before resulting in penalties or being turned over. Some thought to be put towards how phases are built up and maybe overall squad fitness to avoid player isolation. In all, despite a sound start, Ripon lost the referee and ended up conceding some thirteen penalties to the opposition’s 10. Again, if they present scoring opportunities, a situation to be eliminated.

This week’s selection saw a total of fourteen changes from last week’s line up. The seven recalls saw Graham and Clark bring some direction and purpose to the backs; Perez come in to beef up the scrum at Tight Head and a new look back row of Austin, Veitch and Davies-Taylor to create both nuisance and impact at equal levels.

In the pack, Keith Anderson occupied the only unchanged position from the previous week at Loose Head and the timeworn Adam Newcombe returned to the Hooker berth as well as responsibly taking on the leadership mantle in Pearce’s injury forced absence. A second half try was Newcombe’s just reward for another intense afternoon. The second row had a fast and loose look to it with Billy Fletcher and Jordan Layne both stepping in from last week’s back row, with no ill effect to the power of the set piece.

In the backs, just Harry Drane and Zak Kirby held their places, respectively at Scrum Half and Wing, with Clark making a welcome return at Number 10 after a week off. The Player Coach duo of Hudson and Riley rang the changes also, the former reverting to Inside Centre and the latter to Full Back. Tom Graham guested at Outside Centre and the bench saw a recall to the squad for burly George Evans as front row replacement, Jacob Drane to blend in wherever and James Cooper bringing up the rear.

The first ten minutes saw both sides experimenting with tight and wide play, as well as using the bright sunlight as a distraction, with many high balls lofted in the hope of forcing handling errors. The hosts opened the scoring at ten minutes after series of phases, their speedy danger man Left Wing touching down. Without the conversion, the 5 – 0 lead was justice for the hosts’ efforts. Ripon stepped up however and after a missed penalty goal attempt from Clark, the drop out resulted in a failed counter. Just as Otliensians were gathering momentum, Davies-Taylor intercepted on his own 10 metre line and weaved his way through the opposition to equalise for Ripon. Clark with precision aiming, bounced the conversion off the upright to make it 5 – 5.

Both sides battled through the remainder of the half, with Ripon easing into indiscipline and their hosts looking more comfortable on the front foot. In the dying moments of the first half, Ripon pressed against the home line again and from a penalty five metres out, Ripon opted for a scrum. In a flash of brilliance, Davies-Taylor left the perfect pathway for Harry Drane to feed Clark in space. Clark, seeing the defence closing in lofted the cross kick left and just connected with the gangly Zak Kirby out on his wing, to gather and touch down. Clark’s touchline conversion added insult to injury and took Ripon into a 5 – 12 half time lead.

The second half was more frenetic and frantic at times than the first, with an average of a try scored every four minutes and very much a “tit for tat” pattern of play. It literally was end to end stuff, with Ripon converting three of their four additional tries and Otliensians converting five of their six. Overall the conversion rate, even if the missed penalty had worked, Ripon would still have been in deficit on the scoreboard. Another try, even though The Blues finished strongly and with purpose, may have clinched the game, but it sadly didn’t come and Ripon had to concede the game and their third league defeat on the trot. For the record, second half tries came from Henry Hanson, Allan Hudson, who went on to receive the man of the match accolade, stand in captain Adam Newcombe from a line out drive and Nick Perez from outstanding support play. Clark added three conversions to make his tally of the day a worthy eight points and his total for the season to date in all competitions, a creditable forty.

A solid, if slightly off the pace, team performance from Ripon and a couple of league points to stave off bottom half of the table woes for long. Some lessons again in match management, but a great indication of try scoring ability in this still young and talented team. Plus, an opportunity to see what potential this squad has, if only all players were available consistently, week in week out.
Next week, Ripon are happy to be back at home for a change and entertain local friends and rivals Northallerton, in a North Yorkshire Derby match at Mallorie Park on Saturday 18th October. Ripon will be looking for another high scoring performance, only with the win they deserve after recent results. All support for the 3.00pm kick off will be very welcome.