Ripon 19 v Harrogate 12

The match was played over three twenty minute periods with Harrogate unfortunately playing into a strong wind for two of the periods.
Harrogate started strongly winning the first couple of rucks and moving the ball well along the backs to pin Ripon back in their twenty two. Harrogate forwards attacked the Ripon line and were unlucky to be held up just short. Ripon were awarded the 5 metre scrum from which the Harrogate back row were adjudged off side trying to charge down the clearance kick. This allowed Ripon a relieving kick to touch.
The game continued at a fast pace with both sides cancelling each other out. Harrogate forwards were more than holding their own in the loose but were under pressure and struggling for momentum at the scrummage.
With time running out in the first period Harrogate lost a scrum against the head just inside their own half, Ripon’s inside centre went on a jinking run evading several poor attempted Harrogate tackles to score under the posts. The conversion was added and Ripon led 7-0 at the end of the first period.
Changes were made after the first period with Harrogate replacing several players. From the Ripon kick off the ball failed to go ten and Harrogate had a scrum on halfway. Harrogate changes in the front row immediately saw the Ripon pack under pressure and a penalty resulted.
Harrogate continued to press Ripon back with the wind behind them. A Ripon clearance kick found touch. From the resulting lineout Rory Cardwell caught the ball cleanly and the Harrogate forwards got an impressive drive going from the rolling maul, Cullon Troy broke blind with the ball before being supported by David Rowbotham who was held 5 metres short of the Ripon line. Harrogate won the resulting 5 metre scrum and the backrow again battered at the Ripon line. A further scrum was awarded and another attempt at Ripon’s line resulted in a Harrogate penalty, this time the ball was passed to stand off Harry Fewkes who put in a perfectly weighted grub kick under the Ripon posts with the Ripon back line racing up flat and fast, Harrogate centre Dom Marsh and wing Alistair Cameron-Jones both raced onto the ball with Ali winning the race by inches to touch down under the Ripon posts. Fewkes added the extra’s and the scores were level 7-7.
Harrogate pressured Ripon for much of the second period with the wind at their backs Sam Mitchell, Bevan Rainford and the various back row players putting in impressive work in the loose. Ripon were only allowed to attack their line once by Harrogate giving away three penalties in quick succession. The second period ended 7-7.
The third period kicked off with Ripon prop Will Shaw collecting the ball and racing through missed Harrogate tackles into the twenty two.
Ripon began to apply more pressure with the wind at their backs playing well into Harrogate territory. A Ripon attack was held up and they were awarded a 5 metre penalty. Poor Harrogate defence not facing up to the penalty allowed Ripon’s Shaw to drive over for a soft try. The conversion was missed and Ripon led 12-7.
Harrogate upped their game and some intelligent kicks from Jack London now at inside centre moved Harrogate back into Ripon territory. Harrogate lost the ball in contact when in Ripon’s half. Ripon counter attacked at pace resulting a further try and conversion 19-7. This was another disappointing try to concede after being on the attack and spilling the ball.
Harrogate did not let their heads drop the ball was won back from the kick off going blind to Luke Gair who ran strongly back inside, a ruck ensued with Harrogate retaining the ball and Ripon straying offside. A penalty to Gate just outside the twenty two, Harry Fewkes tapped to himself and chipped to corner only an unlucky bounce and Ripon boot prevented Alistair Cameron-Jones scoring. From the resulting lineout Harrogate caught cleanly and drove to the Ripon line, Cullon Troy was held up inches short but Nathan “Bambi” Kemeny was on hand to pick up and touch down for a second Harrogate try. This was reward for second row Nathan who put in his best performance of the season so far.
Time was running out now and try as they might Harrogate could not breech the home defence again, Ripon holding on to win 19-12.
This was an excellent match played at high tempo and in good spirit, well played to both teams. There are plenty of positives for the Harrogate lads to take from the match. Their commitment and effort could not be questioned and the final result could easily have gone either way.