Ripon vs Southport - Papa John's Semi Final - 4th May 2024

The gulf between Ripon’s playing strength and other opposition in this competition, after last week’s semi-final awakener, turned into an ocean this weekend, when Mallorie Park bore witness to everything there is to celebrate about Yorkshire Community Rugby and the people who make it happen. Not only did the playing squad overcome the adversity of the devastating loss of rising star Archie Thompson with just three minutes of the match played, but they also went on to recover their composure, move to a different pitch, completely rearrange their game plan and move on to comprehensively dispose of their Lancastrian opponents Southport to become worthy finalists.

Immobilised by an untimely high tackle in the opening moments of the game, Thompson was subject to the finest on pitch care to stabilise his injury and prevent further harm occurring and a great credit to the wrap around support the club provides for its players, on and off the pitch. The speedy response from Yorkshire Ambulance Service renewed one’s faith in a challenged emergency healthcare system and ensured that young Archie was extracted quickly and effectively from the ground and well on his way to assessment, diagnostics and treatment. The club and supporters of the game from near and far, wish Archie well in his recovery and strength and resilience to him and his family as he begins his long journey back to wellness and fitness.

What was also heartwarming and just “so Ripon”, was the seamless transition from the game on the main pitch, to marking out, flagging up and fencing off, the secondary pitch, to allow the game to continue after a break of some 20 minutes while Thompson received the care he needed and was extracted appropriately. Shout outs for the care team of Charlie Brooksbank, Emily Cooper and Katie Denver-Smith, for their cohesion, compassion and attention to detail, plus the Southport Physio for his input in supporting the early stages of the incident. Special shout out then to Emily for refocusing on the continuing game and any further injury or aid needs that may have been required. Fortunately no further incidents arose and The Blues put together another top-notch performance to send them convincingly through to the final.
In dull, cool and still conditions, the prospect of rain held off sufficiently to enable a free-flowing game on a good to firm surface, wherever in the grounds the match was played. Fortunately for all, the efforts of the ground team and the weather had combined perfectly to provide as natural as possible playing surface on pitch 2 to allow the game to continue unfettered.

The pre-match messaging was plain and simple from DOR Fletcher and Head Coach Scott Paul – make every contact count, show ambition, forget about the opposition and focus on how good this squad was and maintain discipline throughout. The latter was difficult in what, at times was an ill-tempered affair as the visitors’ frustration boiled over and misunderstanding of recent law changes took hold. In all, Ripon conceded fourteen penalties to Southport’s twelve, but with Bray on song with his boot to convert more of them than the opposition, Ripon’s resolve and composure held firm.

Being a cup semi-final, this was not perhaps the most appropriate of occasions on which to hold the obligatory season’s special squad photo session pre-match - the mirth of posing, posturing and profiling for the seemingly endless snaps, did offer an interesting distraction for any pre-match nerves however. With perhaps more snaps that the average wedding portfolio, apart from what gets published, the remainder could make for a cosy night in front of the fire with a glass of red, to determine which of the several thousand images, portrayed yours truly’s best side?

This week’s selection was just as tough as the last few and with so many talented players to choose from, the coaching panel mulled long and hard over the best combination of the 22 and more available. Seeking to minimise disruption as much as possible, The Blues’ starting fifteen looked very familiar, with just one change from last week. Kyle Smith, released from national RAF duties was a solid pick on the Left Wing for the only change in the backs and the pack remained unaltered from last week. Some tweaks were made to the bench to accommodate some comings and goings, with Tom Roebuck recalled for his line out expertise; Tom Austin for his aggression at the breakdown and Harry Veitch snatched direct from his return flight from foreign travels to add some “Eastern Promise”. Completing the five changes, James “The Wolfman” Woolfenden stepped in as a back replacement and following Thompson’s departure, made a significant and at times, magical contribution from bench to Wing.
In front of a significant crowd amounting to 200 plus, Southport kicked into the waiting arms of Hesmondhalgh, who secured possession for the long clearance. The visitor’s reception was knocked on and gifted the hosts their first scrum put in with a few seconds played. From the base, Borchard fed Thompson, who sensing a gap close in, jinked back towards touch and ran into contact. The clumsy high tackle pulled Thompson down awkwardly and the park went silent as his motionless body stopped play. The conferring between referee and his two assistants adjudged no intention of foul play and after some fifteen minutes of deliberation and consultation, the game was moved to an adjoining pitch to continue. Thompson remained in the care of the home support squad until taken away by ambulance.

Enter the Wolf Man at this point on the Wing, Bray moved to Number 10 and Smith reverted to his strongest position at Full Back. Restarting from where they left off, Williams gave Ripon the necessary field position from the penalty to progress into the Southport half and a further penalty for the second high tackle from the visitors gifted Bray the game’s opener with a penalty goal for 3 – 0. In the third such offence committed by the visitors, sense was seen by the match officials and the first of Southport’s cards were issued with a yellow for the foul play. Bray’s penalty goal attempt bounced off the woodwork and Barrett was so unlucky with his follow up chase to just miss the chance to catch the ball before it went into touch.

The next few minutes saw Ripon using the ball well and progressing strongly through Barker and Dalby, with Williams and Barrett breaking barriers. At eleven minutes, Ripon’s pace and fluidity in attack saw the first of their five tries and another in the short adult career of the prodigal Charlie Borchard. Building up carries through wet work by Mack Koroiyadi and Barker, The Blues started to gain inroads. Releasing the ball wide left from a breakdown, Barrett and Woolfenden carried hard to release Smith for a characteristic dance through the defence. Borchard was on hand to complete the move and Bray’s conversion made it 10 – 0.

Within five minutes and from a further high tackle penalty, Ripon took the tap through Borchard for the well-known torturers, Pearce and Payne to carry deep into the heart of the opposition. Pearce got to within a sniff of the line and was joined by Mack to beef up the challenge. From the base, Williams saw the opening to the left and broke free to release Tom “Hesh” Hesmondhalgh for the first of his two tries. Bray made no mistake of the conversion for 17 – 0 and Southport looking a bit like fish out of water and hankering for the comfort of their sand dunes.

Some lenience towards the visitors’ play gifted them some small advantage as the game entered the second quarter and with Borchard over-keen in chasing a kick and Dalby penalised for making a tackle, it looked like Southport were to be getting in with a chance. Binks sorted that out on the half hour after a Hesh line out steal. Off went Williams to the left and fed his partner in crime Barrett to bounce on further. Wolfenden picked up the pace on his Wing to carry for some 30 metres before the next breakdown. With lightning quick ball, The Blues shipped right again with Williams drifting wide, then straightening to give Binks a clean run in. Poetry and team work in motion. Bray was just short with the touchline conversion attempt but 22 – 0 was looking good for Ripon.

The middle of the second quarter gave the visitors their finest chances of the half and with a penalty for Smith not releasing in the tackle on 34 minutes, Southport opened their account with a penalty goal for 22 – 3. With 37 minutes played, Barker was adjudged to be over-zealous in defending a team mate on the floor and was yellow carded for his loyalty. The ensuing penalty goal reduced the deficit to 22 – 6 but that ended the visitors’ input to the scoreboard for the half. Heading into injury time, Southport were looking to try and play a bit, but great defensive work by Smith and Woolfenden, saw the former pick up a loose ball and put in a truly balletic performance to waft his way through the opposition. Barrett took on the attack and chipped ahead. Woolfenden switched on the after-burners to win the chase for the touch down and with Bray’s conversion, Ripon ended the first half 27 – 6 ahead.

Such is the lay of the land at Mallorie Park, that Ripon’s favoured ploy of downhill, with the wind in the second half, almost worked out. With the new pitch at right angles to the former, Ripon were happy to play down the slight slope but the increasing wind looked a potential threat as it started blowing in the face of the hosts. Undeterred by topography and atmospherics, Ripon smashed their way into the second half with another try for the ever-present Hesmondhalgh. Having won his own line out ball, Hesh backed up the attack from Newcombe and Mack to run in Ripon’s fifth and final try of the day and with Bray’s conversion, took The Blues to 34 – 6.

Whatever happened in the visitor’s camp happened quickly and effectively and from two quickly taken tap penalties, the not so hapless opposition jumped on Ripon’s delayed reactive state and scored one converted and one unconverted try to take the score to 34 – 18 with thirty minutes left to go.

From there on in, Ripon sharpened up their act in all departments apart perhaps for the scrum, which started to creak somewhat in the final quarter. Despite that inconsistency, Ripon continued to run and play from wherever and whenever. A touch “harum scarum” at times and not wanting to stifle creativity, perhaps a little too loose as well. Fortunately for Ripon, Southport couldn’t respond any better or further and with a player finally despatched with a red card for foul play, Ripon grabbed the game by the throat and with two further penalty goals for Bray and another 15-point personal contribution, the hosts closed the game down at a creditable 40 – 18.

Taking the rough with the smooth, if you play like Ripon play, you will be exciting and take risks. You will also probably score lots of points and win games. There may also be gaps to sneak into, as Southport this week and Yarnbury last week showed. Mind the gaps, the wins will keep on coming and the points margins increasing.

Wishing Archie Thompson a full and speedy recovery and best wishes to his family in this difficult time. May the Ripon family continue to wrap around you and provide you with the help and support you need.

Next week, The Blues will make their way up to the Northern Echo Darlington Arena for the Counties 2 North Plate Final versus Ashbourne from Derbyshire. Not complacent by any means, Ripon will take each game as it comes and use the learning from four successive wins to fine tune their game with the aspiration of bringing home the silverware and a year’s worth of pizzas! The kick off will be at an unusually early time of 1.00pm to accommodate the plethora of other Northern competition end games for each of the five levels of English Rugby on show that afternoon. As with last season’s final appearance, Ripon will be looking forward to the finest hospitality and organisation that the RFU can provide to make the game as easy to play as possible. Like last week, let’s get the population of the City and surrounding areas behind The Blues and fill The Darlington Arena with the Ripon faithful in support of arguably the City’s most successful sporting side in recent years. All travelling supporters and spectators will be very welcome.