There are various positions in a Rugby squad that have the opportunity to show more than brute force, cunning and guile. The second rows, leap like salmon at the line out, the back row act like an invisibility cloak – snuffing out the existence of opposition attacks and the backs, well they have the open ground to roam free and strut their stuff. The unsung heroes of the game are more often than not, the front row, who do all the wet work without complaint and create the platform from which everyone else enjoys the game. Today was a memorable occasion for The Blues’ front row in that three of the eight tries were scored by them. One by Skipper James Pearce, asserting his authority on the game in every aspect and two well deserved groundings for veteran and fast becoming a legendary club stalwart, Marika “Mack” Koroiyadi – one in each half. Mack not only proved a dominant force in the set piece but set a great example in open play – carrying and handling with precision. It’s not often props get on the score sheet but when they do it’s a cause to celebrate and rejoice and when they slice though the opposition like a hot knife through butter, the joy is immeasurable.

The day’s Rugby was about upping the pace in attack and defence and getting set for next steps with some energy, which was delivered with purpose and everyone knowing their roles. The next ask was for quick, clean ball and the whole team produced that in bucketfuls, hence the eight try to one rout of local neighbours Northallerton. The final ask of the coaching team was a seismic shift from the indiscipline of previous weeks and for no cards to be issued by the referee. In perhaps the finest display of match management, The Blues only conceded a total of five penalties all game and they were all confined to a 15-minute spell in the second half. Northallerton on the contrary, looking in danger of meltdown on occasions and transgressed for some 16 penalties and one yellow card.

Ripon played with poise and composure for most of the game and despite the loss of two key players in Mosley and Take early in the second half, which allowed a temporary resurgence by the hosts, the result was never in doubt. Northallerton had a tidy scrum and with some hefty forwards on the park and a skilful Number 10, looked to play to their advantages up front and move the ball wide when possible. As well as matching them up front with crunching tackles and powerful carries, particularly from Ripon’s mostly young back row, the go forward provided from a solid scrum and line out, the pace and energy of the back line and the re-signing of Charlie Borchard from his recent absence, made a gulf of a difference between the two sides.

This week’s selection saw yet another reshuffle to accommodate changes in availability and eleven changes from last week’s squad overall. Up front, the now immovable front row of Koroiyadi at Loose Head, Pearce at Hooker and Dalby at Tight Head, made their indelible mark on the game bagging nearly half the total try tally and wreaking havoc in all phases of the game Koroiyadi and Pearce worked their magic to get on the score sheet and Dalby was ever-present to carry for some significant hard yards. A new look second row saw the recall of Roebuck to rule the airwaves at the line out and grab the first try of the day in the sixth minute from some energetic support play. The temptation to hang out on the wing for the rest of the day was however overcome and he did play a full part in the close order work. Dan Rayner enjoyed his first league start of the season and put in a strong shift, carrying hard and showing considerable dexterity in his ball handling skills.

Often understated, the back row plays an important role in joining up the pieces between set piece, structured phases and unstructured play. This week the spotlight shone on the starting trio of Tom Austin at Blind Side, a true workhorse, who stifled attacks and posed questions when carrying. Harry Veitch looked well in his comfort zone at Open Side and made a nuisance of himself when the opposition found enough possession to attack with. At Number 8, Jacob Butterill, while still young of age and relatively slight of frame, again put in a massive shift, battering his way through the opposition with ball in hand.

Man of the match Charlie Borchard returned to the fold at Scrum Half after a brief dalliance elsewhere and what a difference he made. With a two try score card, an ability to snipe and create openings and a standing pass that could snap fingers of the recipient at 30 metres, young Charlie will be a huge asset to the squad. Harry Drane moved out to Number 10 and played with an air of comfort and composure with such a delivery available to him. The running and kicking game went according to plan and the combination of 9 and 10 could be an interesting conundrum for the coaches going forward. Jack Mosley and Saula Take made up the Wings, the former scoring The Blues’ second try and then cruelly exiting after half time with a nasty injury. The latter not long afterwards in similar circumstances. We wish them both well in their recoveries. The Centres saw a whole new line up with new signing Matt Shield starting at Inside and Tom Grahem returning from a brief absence at Outside. The former found his feet slowly but made some sound inroads in attack and defended solidly while the latter did his normal thing and battered his way over for the fourth and bonus point winning try on the half hour. James Cooper took well to the Full Back berth again and whilst not particularly troubled in defence, joined the attacks well and added three conversions to the scoreline. The bench saw Adam Newcombe champing at the bit to bring his three decades of first team experience to the fray and Jacob Drane itching to join his former age grade compadres on the pitch. Matt Binks brought up the rear to add his pace and presence as required in the backs and played a full and impactful part in the second half.

In bright and sunny, but quite chilly and increasingly breezy conditions, the ground at Brompton Lodge was as good as it’s been for a while and with Ripon playing uphill and into the wind, the stage was set for a fine afternoon’s play.

Ripon received the initial kick off via Butterill and early exchanges saw Mosley, Rayner Koroiyadi and Butterill linking well to take play forwards. From a Blues line out on 6 minutes, Rayner made the break in midfield and handed on to Butterill. Next up was Borchard to spin out to Drane and then to put Mosley into space. Roebuck was up in support for the final offload to touch down for 0 – 5. The swirling and stiffening breeze made place and open play kicking somewhat of a lottery.

Next on the scoreboard at 19 minutes, was Jack Mosley after another line out and midfield break from Rayner. Borchard fed Shield on to Koroiyadi and then after almost going it alone, the agile Prop fed the young Winger to touch down for 0 – 10. At 24 minutes, Borchard gained sufficient confidence from the quality ball he was being presented with, by chipping the defence and catching the bounce nicely to run in unopposed for 0 – 15.

At 28 minutes, Tom Graham was up next after Shield made some good ground with his pace. Looking for skittles to knock over, Graham bounced his way onto the scoresheet with Ripon’s fourth and bonus point winning try. Cooper managed the conversion for 0 – 22. In the dying moments of the half a repeat offence by the hosts saw a yellow card issued and The Blues pounced on the opportunity to take advantage of the numbers. From the penalty touch kick, Roebuck gathered and the driving maul formed perfectly. The 15 metres or so were covered at pace with the opposition looking to spoil the momentum, at which point “Mack” Koroiyadi spun out from the side of the maul and touched down for Ripon’s fifth. With the failed conversion attempt, the half time whistle blew and Ripon comfortably in front at 0 – 27.

The second half saw the hosts play with considerable passion and vigour for most of the first 20 minutes. Uphill and into the breeze, Northallerton used their big forwards to good effect in gaining short distances and apart from the odd wide ball to their speedy ex-Ripon Winger, chose wrongly to try and keep it tight. The valiant defence by the whole Ripon team soaked up the pressure and whilst it led to five successive penalties in short order against The Blues and an unconverted try from a series of pick and go attacks, that was about all Northallerton had.

As the game entered its final quarter, the hosts had pretty much run out of steam and Ripon’s superior fitness and creativity really came into play. Further tries from Pearce, Koroiyadi and Borchard, with two more conversions from James Cooper sealed the opposition’s fate and delivered the ultimate scoreline of 5 – 46 and enough league points to take second place. Some outstanding performances across the squad showed how resilient the players can be to take a defeat in the previous week and build on their strengths to come good.

In summary, a solid display by Ripon when it mattered, to bounce back from last week’s narrow defeat and play more like the potential the squad has. Great discipline helped enormously and gave The Blues so much time with the ball to show their creativity and talents.
Next week Ripon are back at home at Mallorie Park and host struggling Hemsworth on Saturday 12th October. Kick-off is at 3.00pm and all supporters will be very welcome.