With only two out of six matches being played in this division, one might have expected more of a crowd to show an interest in this “top three tussle”, in which Ripon took on second placed Yarnbury with effectively nothing to lose. So, despite the surprisingly bright, crisp and calm atmospheric conditions – certainly clear and good enough for the incessant comings and goings at neighbouring Leeds Bradford Airport, an underwhelming group of supporters watched perhaps The Blues’ best and most important game of the season to date, play out into a massive, bonus-point winning victory. Not underwhelming by any means from Ripon’s perspective as watchers of the match via Veo will understand and thanks to our senior patrons and committee members for their vociferous if partisan support throughout.

Not an easy place to get a result at by any means, with the hosts regularly training and playing on their hallowed 4G “turf”, Ripon ripped up the rule book and showed Yarnbury how to play their own game. The big difference between the sides on the day was that Yarnbury are used to playing percentage possession and look to go wide early. Ripon’s forward dominance, coupled with their defensive strength, simply stifled the hosts’ opportunities to break out and score mostly. Admittedly, the home backs were rapid and precise with ball in hand and they made the most of scoring opportunities with two breakaway second half tries. The Blues however, retained their shape and consistently effective strong carrying, to sap the opposition into making errors and conceding four tries and two penalty goals. On the matter of penalties, a count of 14 to 10 in favour of the opposition might suggest that Ripon were descending into the depths of indiscipline again. Not so in reality, but a result of firm and fair, if a little premature at times, refereeing decisions from the young man in the middle. One to watch for the future as a good communicator, engaging with players and credible in his explanation of offences. Far too few folks go into refereeing these days and when a rising star emerges, they should be respected, nurtured and supported.

Overall, despite the scoreline, this was arguably one of Ripon’s best, if not the best performance of the season to date. After a run of three matches in which The Blues squandered commanding leads, or lost narrowly at the end of an intense fight, this game saw them show resolve and resilience in bucket loads and take the competition to fellow promotion aspirants. The result takes Ripon to within seven league points of a promotion place and the prospect of some less demanding matches over the coming weeks. Who knows what might be achievable if this hard working and talented squad can keep fit and keep together?

This week’s selection saw a first for The Blues, with a total of four of our Fijian comrades taking to the field and a memorable debut to Sakiusa “Koms” Komaitai making his mark at Inside Centre. The full line up started with the recall of student Harvey Hooley to bring his usual flair and attacking pace at Full Back, ably aided and abetted by fellow student Henry Hanson, shifting out to the Wing to accommodate him and “Abo” Sovatabua on the other side, looking to wreak his usual havoc, with and without the ball. Completing the three-quarters at Outside Centre, human wrecking ball Tom Graham made the change from last week’s outing on the Wing. Nick Daley, reprieved after his card incident in the previous outing offered his customarily abrasive game at Number 10 and added four out of six kicks at goal to his emerging place-kicking responsibility. Harry Drane started at Scrum Half looking to make the Number 9 shirt his own for the rest of the season.

The pack had a very familiar line up from the past two games, with the front five seeing just one change. Newcombe added his sage wisdom and experience starting at Loose Head and was a force majeure with ball in hand. Skipper Pearce was a shoe in at Hooker, tirelessly irritating the home defence with his incisive carries and Dalby continued to give him an armchair ride at Tight Head. All three of the front row led by example in a game of almost total forward dominance in both set piece and open play. The boiler house was stoked by the gritty pair of Joe Middlemiss and Nick Perez, offering defensive oomph and some go forward with ball in hand. The power of the front five was absolute and corrupted any attempts by the opposition to establish a stable platform, absolutely. The back row saw work horse Austin put in another edgy performance and Line out specialist Roebuck at Blind and Open Side Flanker respectively. Young Harry Veitch was recalled to the squad to replace the globe-trotting Butterill at Number 8 and claimed a well-deserved second half try . The bench saw Koroiyadi as the impact front row replacement, Billy Burgin to cover most other pack positions and the final berth went to the recalled Flying Fijian Saula Take, expecting to light up the back line.

A dream start for Ripon came from Kom’s reception of the hosts’ kick off. Setting out his stall from the outset, the burly Centre smashed into contact and set up a series of thrusts from Dalby, Perez and Newcombe. Names that most will be familiar with for their exploits in carrying hard and tackling harder, these three forwards were just the tip of the iceberg of Ripon’s pack power and a great example of fitness, finesse and formidability. After an early breather from a penalty to Ripon for obstruction, The Blues went through a period of intense driving play and repeated penalties for seemingly going forward too hard. The fifth successive penalty to the hosts on 14 minutes broke the deadlock and gifted Yarnbury the lead at 3 – 0.

The second quarter was much of the same, with Ripon dominating set and open play but just not quite connecting. Yarnbury’s strike players at 15 and 11 did their best to make ground and their back row put themselves into the game effectively at times. It was the hosts lack of power and presence in their tight five that let them down though and whilst a strategy to chuck the ball out to the speedy Wingers as soon as possible can work at times, without the grunt and grind of securing steady possession, those opportunities will be few and far between. The first quarter in summary, saw Ripon enter the home 22 on three occasions and come away without reward. The opposition however, had amassed three points from their solitary venture into the Ripon red zone and things needed to change.

A penalty to Ripon for a ruck infringement at 32 minutes set up a touch kick and attacking line out for The Blues on the home 22 metre line. The uncontested throw to Tom Roebuck set up the text book catch and drive, which saw the recipient of the throw in at the end of the maul to open the scoring for Ripon. Daley’s conversion attempt was tantalisingly close, but the try on its own was good enough for the lead at 3 – 5.
With a renewed buoyancy Ripon went into all out-attack mode and after repeated batterings of the home line at 38 minutes, Joe Middlemiss was held up and a second try denied. From the goal line drop out play fizzled out unceremoniously and with the hosts clearly having enough of the events, Yarnbury booted the ball out of play on the 40-minute mark.

Whilst the events of the first half didn’t lead to much in the way of points on the board, the efforts of the whole Ripon team have to be noted for their commitment and resilience. Big carries came from the usual suspects of Newcombe and Dalby, as well as Graham and Hooley. “Koms” and “Abo” made great inroads in attack and proved indefatigable in defence. The communication and chemistry between the backs was scintillating to watch and the casual observer fearful for the safety of anyone daring to try and stop them in their tracks.

The second half started even more spectacularly than the first, with Roebuck flying high and taking Daley’s perfectly lofted kick off, on the full. The ensuing series of attacks saw a further penalty to The Blues, which Daley knocked over neatly to extend the lead to 3 – 8. After some personnel changes in which the three finishers were brought on to replace Newcombe, Roebuck and Drane, another penalty gave Daley the opportunity to put Ripon 3 – 11 ahead.

The hosts used the settling in period of the three Ripon replacements to good effect and at the turn of the quarter, got themselves back in the fight with an unconverted try for 8 – 11. Geed up by their success, Yarnbury put together some enterprising plays from the scraps of possession they gained. Everything the hosts did had to go wide early and whilst Ripon’s close defence was impenetrable, some chinks appeared around the edges and a Ripon breakdown offence gave the hosts a penalty opportunity with 64 minutes played, they levelled the score to 11 – 11 with a well-struck penalty goal.

In recent weeks this point in the game might have signalled the end of Ripon’s involvement and a steady capitulation. Not on this occasion and spurred by the addition of Koroiyadi and Take to the line-up, Ripon’s four Fijians started to gel and increase The Blues’ impact on the game. Not exactly Hong Kong Sevens material, but the energy, impact and skills that the Oceanians brought was more “Pacific Rim” than “South Sea Bubble” as they systematically destroyed the hosts and paved the way for a memorable victory. With less than 10 minutes to go, Ripon re-asserted their grip on the game and from a stolen line out by Joe Middlemiss, launched another attack. Daley was involved twice in the move, as was Graham, before Daley found space to jink though the final lines of defence and find Harry Veitch on his shoulder to touch down. Daley was just wide with the conversion for 11 – 16.

At 36 minutes after more cohesive driving play by Ripon, “Abo” was next up on the scoreboard. Another well executed penalty touch kick saw a line out catch and mini drive from The Blues before the ball was released quickly to the left. “Koms” came in tight off Daley to change the angle of attack infield and “Abo” was on his shoulder at first contact to continue the line and score under the posts. Daley made no mistake with the conversion for 11 – 23 and Ripon again looked in control, with the away supporters baying for the four try bonus point.
Try as they might to get themselves out of bother, Yarnbury spent the next few minutes defending strongly and yet capably. They threw the ball around winningly to exploit any Ripon weakness but came unstuck when Tom Graham delivered the seemingly killer blow on 41 minutes. After some interplay between Daley, Austin, Hooley and Middlemiss, Graham popped up out of nowhere and finished with a flourish for Ripon’s fourth and bonus point winning try. Daley added the conversion for an emphatic scoreline of 11 – 30.

Noting that it’s not over until the large person sings, Yarnbury pressed again from the restart and from a Ripon handling error, again the magical long passing for the hosts worked and their elusive and very speedy Winger ran in for their consolation second try. The missed conversion left the score at 16 – 30 and with Ripon jubilant at their success as the final whistle blew. Some easily answered questions in defence but no recriminations at that point in the game. A five-point win on the road is commendable and a win against promotion rivals, inspirational.

There have been some subtle changes in the line-up of this Ripon squad over the last couple of weeks. The team has benefitted from the availability of students and forces personnel, but been hit by losses with injuries and unavailability. The key to Ripon’s continued success as promotion aims and cup runs loom, is the stability of a regularly available squad of quality players. Noting the strength in depth of the club at the moment, having fielded three teams this weekend, that is a possibility. We live in hope.

Next week Ripon are back at home to entertain old friends, rivals and neighbours Northallerton. The opposition have suffered a less-than-optimal season to date and will be coming to Mallorie Park with high hopes of a decent result and hopefully making for an entertaining match. Kick-off is at 2.15 and all supporters very welcome.