More a messianic “Pinball Wizard” than the long-suffering companion of braces-twanging Bobby Ball, Tom “The Human Cannonball” Graham, took this game by the scruff of the neck, led from the front and turned in a well-deserved man of the match performance. Quietly understated, as are the majority of Ripon’s big ball carriers – who let their ball miles do the talking – Graham made a significant impact on stabilising The Blues’ much changed squad in attack and defence, carried hard, tackled hard and showed his versatility in playing out of position at Outside Centre. Credit to the big lad who grows each week in capability and responsibility.

Notwithstanding Tom and his fellow players’ efforts, of which there were many worthy of note, the outcome of the day was disappointing and a surreal case of “close but no cigar”. In a game, which Ripon looked to be running away with and then got to a draw, the lead changed hands a further three times before the hosts clung on by their fingernails to a two-point lead; The Blues took the result on the chin and will rebuild for the next round.

Ripon made the long journey to Huddersfield, in a fairly buoyant mood despite the team being almost unrecognisable from last week’s and so with many changes, there was always going to be a challenge to team cohesion and composure. The Blues did very well initially and with a decent lead at half time after a dominant first half with ball in hand, went off the boil and the pace in the last quarter and eventually conceded to opposition who maximised their point scoring potential.

In a game in which the spirited hosts never looked like lying down, Ripon couldn’t quite establish the necessary control over their set piece and left gaps in their defence which allowed the opposition in for their try bonus point. Plenty of fluid, creative and attractive play came from The Blues and the prime carriers did sterling work to keep the ball alive for long periods and keep the scoreboard ticking over. In the end, it was discipline that let Ripon down and with conceding seven penalties in the second half, allowed the hosts back into the game with their on-point goal kicker.

Ironically, this week’s overall playing performance was up there amongst the best as far as exploiting scoring chances in danger zones was concerned, with an average of 5.5 points scored per entry into the opposition 22 metre area. Unfortunately Huddersfield’s performance was very similar, so it was Ripon’s usually rock-solid defence that was the difference this week. Maybe a more stable squad, week in week out would help in that respect. Whilst challenged somewhat at the set piece, Ripon still managed to provide a plethora of clean, useable ball to attack from.

It was in defence, that unforced errors hit The Blues most badly, with as well as conceding four tries, two of which were avoidable with a bit more composure, two failed exits cost 14 points. Conversely, in attack, four unforced errors in the opposition’s 22 metre area led to a potential 22 points being missed out on. An area for further scrutiny on the training ground, to improve confidence on the ball and cohesion in defence.
Selection this week looked more of a “52 card pick-up” than its usual measured approach and with the prospect of fielding three full teams, there was hardly a dearth of talent to pick from. With eleven changes in total including nine recalls to the squad, of which three hadn’t donned a 1st XV jersey so far this season, there was a hint of the experimental rather than desperation. Two positional changes were necessary to accommodate everyone.

Starting at the rear, Harry Drane started at Full Back for the second week running and had a better day with his place kicking with four out of five conversions adding eight points to his season’s tally. Henry Hanson brought youth and pace to the Left Wing and Matt Shield his substantial experience to the right. Lofty Liam Wood returned to the fray at Inside Centre and Tom Graham at Outside. Player-Coach Nick Daley ran the back line from Number 10 for the second week and with Borchard at Scrum Half again, the potential to go wide early was a mouthwatering prospect.

In the pack, Koroiyadi made his ninth start at Loose Head and pushed his energy levels to the limit with a full eighty-minute stint. Skipper Pearce returned to the Hooker berth and Nick Perez showed his versatility by guesting effectively at Tight Head. All three making much ground with ball in hand. The Second Row saw Iain Barker recalled and Billy Fletcher in for the second week running. The Back Row was a subtle blend of youth and erm, youth, with Veitch, Jacob Drane and Butterill, at an average age of 19 years 3 months, dominating the game like junior Mafiosi. This week’s bench saw recalls for Anderson, Joe Middlemiss and Binks, all adding the necessary energy and grit in the second half.

After a breathtaking start, in which the ball was alive for a full five minutes, with much advantage being played, young Charlie Borchard opened the scoring for Ripon. After Perez and Barker did the ground work, their efforts allowed the nippy Scrum Half to find a break and run in unopposed. Harry Drane converted for 0 – 7. Next up on fourteen minutes was the perfectly executed penalty touch kick from Daley, followed by a line out drive from Butterill’s clean catch. Skipper James Pearce emerged from under the throng to claim the try and Drane converted again for 0 – 14 and a dream start for Ripon.

The bubble soon burst at the start of the second quarter when a deep kick by Huddersfield was poorly fielded and gave the hosts the advantage to run in out wide. The touchline conversion made it 7 – 14. Just after the half hour, Ripon bounced back again with Borchard’s second try. Butterill picked from the base of a scrum, making some 20 metres before Borchard intervened to feed Nick Daley. Tom Graham was on hand to make some serious midfield ground before popping the inside pass to Henry Hanson. With 20 metres to go and just the Full Back to beat, Hanson unselfishly slipped Borchard the scoring pass. Drane converted for a tidy 7 – 21.

Not giving in, the hosts pressed back hard and started to make inroads in midfield and increase the pressure on the Ripon scrum. As repeated phases built up into the Ripon territory, the hosts looked to be finishing the half stronger and eventually crossed the visitors’ line for a converted try for 14 – 21 on half time.

From the restart, Ripon made their three substitutions to bring on fresh legs, with Middlemiss, Anderson and Binks coming on. Within two minutes of the half, a Huddersfield line out on the Ripon 22 opened up a mini-drive. Unnoticed, the home Hooker broke blind from the maul and sauntered the remaining 20 metres unopposed to touch down. Another perfect touchline conversion drew the scores at 21 – 21 and Ripon finally realising they were in a serious game. The hosts furthered their resurrection with a penalty goal after a breakdown offence to take the lead for the first time at 24 – 21.

After nine minutes came the first of Tom Graham’s attempts to save the game single handedly. After some strong running by Koroiyadi, Perez and Hanson, Graham put in some 40 hard yards weaving through and bouncing off the defence to touch down for the try bonus point. Drane was just wide with the conversion attempt but the lead changing again to 24 – 26 was a step in the right direction for The Blues.

Within five minutes, Graham was off again after Middlemiss cleared up a messy loose ball. Daley and Wood progressed the play, with Daley and Koroiyadi linking again to make ground. Graham was there at the end to leave his opposite number standing to touch down in the corner for his second and Ripon’s fifth try of the day. Drane converted to extend the lead to 24 – 33 and Ripon again breathing a sigh of relief.

After a further ten minutes of intense exchanges, with more carries from Veitch, Butterill and Daley, a tackle offence gave Huddersfield the advantage they needed and another three points from a penalty goal to reduce their deficit to 27 – 33. No more than another five minutes passed before Huddersfield were on the attack again, this time the Ripon defence was looking more ragged as fitness began to show and gaps started to appear. At the start of the final quarter, Huddersfield clicked again and through repeated close order thrusts, pushed through to cross the whitewash for their fourth and bonus point winning try. With the conversion attempt going uncharacteristically awry, the score was poised at a tantalising 32 – 33.

The final twenty minutes was a combination of arm wrestles and who blinks first contests and the hosts increased their pressure and Ripon pushed tired legs and lungs to the limits. As the energy was sapped and concentration dipped, so the penalty count increased, with a flurry of five being awarded against The Blues in as many minutes. From another breakdown offence, Huddersfield were offered a penalty goal opportunity, from a seemingly impossible angle and outrageous distance. The silence in the stadium was deafening as the home place kicker sought to restore his reputation after his last miss. The crossed fingers and wishes of the home team and crowd worked better than the visitors’ and the ball went through the uprights to tumultuous applause as the hosts took the lead again at 35 – 33.

Down but not out and with just a minute to go, Ripon threw everything into the restart and follow up plays. With possession changing hands a couple of times due to advantage being played again, Ripon were once more in attack at forty-three minutes and the golden opportunity to snatch the win opened up with a penalty for a breakdown offence by the hosts. Drane stepped up to the challenge of the 40-metre direct shot at goal and the crowd fell silent again. Unfortunately, Drane’s good day at the tee had already ended and the attempt drifted harmless left of target, to the even more raucous cheers of the home team and spectators as the referee blew for full time. With the score remaining at 35 – 33, the hosts celebrated a return to winning ways and Ripon need to get out of the habit of doing so on alternate matches.

On a very positive note, the game provided plenty of opportunities for Ripon to play to their strengths, adapt to changes and perform well enough to earn two league points on the road, one try bonus and one losing bonus. Not to be sniffed at, at all. Discipline remains a challenge under pressure as does fitness amongst squad members. Neither insurmountable with attention to detail to the areas in which penalties are conceded and commitment to training.

Next week on the 16th November, The Blues are back at home at Mallorie Park and host the mighty Dinnington, current and so far, undefeated league leaders. Kick-off will be at 2.15pm and all supporters will be very welcome.