Weather warnings apart, this was not going to be a damp squib of a game. With Ripon in consistently good form and th‎e hosts flying high at the top of the table, both sides were expected to put in a decent display.

That they did, with Ripon having the edge in the set piece and Roundhegians getting the better in open play. Again, whilst not as high a penalty count as last week, discipline was a challenge for The Blues. A further Yellow Card incident midway through the first half didn't help Ripon get into their groove either.

Selection posed some challenges this week, with 8 changes in total, 3 positional, 3 recalls, on late drop out and an outstanding debut for George Petts.

Ripon started on a high note and drove strongly into the gale. Within the first minute, Ripon gained a penalty, which they drive from the line out, and then another, which Tombling just missed. With another penalty to Ripon at 5, it looked like the Referee was in the bag.

Unfortunately, at 13 minutes a late tackle on a home player resulted in the hosts taking the lead at 3 - 0 and Fletcher taking a rest for 10 minutes.

Ripon used their set piece to good effect for the remainder of the first quarter, with some spirited carries through the pack. Petts, Pillar and Graham were also resolute in running kicks back into the wind. At 24 minutes, Tombling broke the deadlock for Ripon with a Penalty Goal to take the score to 3 - 3. This was soon countered by a succession of penalties against Ripon, one of which added to their score to 6 - 3 at 32 minutes. A further attempt at goal was attempted by the hosts on the stroke of half time, but the effort was saved by the crossbar.

With such a small gap in the score at the break, the game looked wide open and with the wind in their favour, Ripon looked‎ forward to a more successful second half.

The weather however, was the winner in the second half, with howling gales and torrential rain, which stifled any attempts to play an attractive game. Roundhegians made the better of the early encounters, making good ground‎ and eventually crossed the Ripon line for a converted try on 55 minutes.
The hosts then had the best of the next few‎ minutes until with 10 left on the clock, Ripon finally found top gear.

Successive attacks on the home line saw a well deserved try for Newcombe on 80 minutes to take the score to 13 - 8. On receiving the restart, Ripon set off again in earnest and looked to be up for another try. Another penalty put paid to that and allowed the outstanding to kick for touch and end the game.

Not a classic, but a game that Ripon could have won. A losing bonus point was however a welcome consolation and maintained Ripon in third place.

Next League action for Ripon is on 29th February at home to North Ribblesdale, all support welcome.

Ripon Rugby Union Football Club

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