Ripon 24 Leo’s 8
Published by BrendanH on March 8th, 2008 in Match Reports, 1st XV
A fantastic team performance saw Ripon get a deserved win over Leodiensians at Mallorie Park. The arrival of new coach Simon Middleton had given Ripon a welcome confidence boost before the game and the team started the game brightly, dominating the early phases. However Leo’s opened the scoring against the run of play when they crashed over for a try from a lineout after just 10 minutes.
Ripon were back in the game 10 minutes later when Scott McAra reacted quickly to a penalty decision and sniped forward to put flanker Gary Denver over in the right corner. Ripon now upped their game with Mark Curtis wreaking havoc as he repeatedly ran at the Leo’s defence, on one occasion breaking the tackle and surging 50 metres up field. The whole pack responded with locks Watson and Williamson involved in another fine handling move to the right. Unfortunately Jim Potter’s game was prematurely ended by a knee injury but he had made a fine contribution in those 25 minutes.
Leo’s retook the lead on the half hour mark through a penalty. Ripon restored parity after 36 minutes as Skipper Richard Hooks struck a penalty following the sinbinning of the Leo’s No.8. The half time break meant a quick refresh and Ripon would turn around with the strong wind at their backs. In truth the weather played a significant role in the second half.
The Ripon pack really began to assert their dominance in the second half as the visitor’s scrum creaked under pressure. Hooks now began to utilise the conditions and exerted real control to pin Leo’s back. Two penalties stretched the lead to 14-8. The weather turner quite nasty as torrential rain fell and the game was eventually settled by two fine tries - firstly fullback Jason Bell finished off a fine move to score in the left corner. Winger Adi Potter then finished well in the right corner. Centre partner Dirk and Harrison shut down any attempted Leo’s revival as they lead the line bravely. Hooks showed great composure and used a tactical kicking game to keep Leo’s deep in their own territory.
As the clock wound down centre Dirk was rather harshly sinbinned for an alleged infringement at the breakdown. Ripon pulled tighter together to see the final 10 minutes out and record a fine 24-8 victory.
This was a victory carved from a cohesive team performance. The Ripon players had committed to a plan and they executed well through the game. Control of the ball was excellent even during the wet weather in the second half and every player worked tirelessly in defence. Overall a job well done - the focus now switches to building on this and finishing the season on a high. Let’s work even harder now to to secure an away victory next.
26 Comments to "Ripon 24 Leo’s 8"
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and wales lifting the triple crown!!! oi oi! well done RIPON, chuffing excellent
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Thoroughly deserved boys, great control from the pack in terrible conditions. Thanks to Marzi for getting the first round in, I imagine I’m not the only one struggling today, eh Fletch? As for Mr Catchpole……..
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here is to us boys no one was beating us yesterday
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I would like to thank all the ex and crock players for their support on saturday, I know the weather wasn’t great and a so called England team tried to play rugby on tv on at the same time, but their dedication was there and gave it there all on the sidelines for what i hope was an important win for us, cheers lads for the support and hope we’ll keep giving you guys the same exciting games in weeks to come…….
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Well done lads, you were superb yesterday and played with great pride and a lot of control and skill. Let’s build from here and finish the season on the up. Get down on Tuesday and Thursday for training with Simon and let’s bag an away win next league game.
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Cracking win lads, it was worth getting soaked for! More of the same, see you at training on Tuesday. To the ex and injured, great day, we’ll do it again for the North Rib trip whether playing or not!
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Great win at the weekend boys!Big hand!
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Well done lads always good to stuff Leos,sounds as if the ex and injured had a good one,i hope Fletch was the last man standing!!!!!
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great performance all round from team and supporters…. cheers for the beer Marzi!!
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Well done lads I can’t add anymore to what has already been said. Fantastic. It was all down to you on the day, and noone else, you decided you wanted it and you went out and did it no other factors involved. Thanks also to all ex and crock players make no mistake you made a big difference and a lot of noise. Thanks. Marzi as I understand it Fletch did you proud, I saw him in the billy later on and he was starting to look shabby as for mossy less said the better eh!
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Sorry Doddsy…sounds like you had enough for the both of us! Great win gang, sounds like a real old fashioned ripon performance. Big hand!
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Excellent performance boys, proud to be involved! Must maintain the commitment and that goes for the old, crocked and injured as well - great support! Seem to recall Fletch was a shambles in the Club House never mind the Billy! Marzi, did I miss you or couldn’t you be bothered to turn up!!!!!!?
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Yes, ta for the beer Marzi, I’d temporarily forgotten about that, along with about 95% of the rest of the day/night! Rob, were you in the Billy??
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Yes mossy I was in there for a bit. I’m not surprised you can’t remember you were a mess!!! what a laugh
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I feel sorry for sarah trying to look after mossy in that state, well funny…..
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Yeah, Mossy what a mess you were………………….!!
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Cheers for sat lads.Woke up with a thick head on Sunday could have been the beer.I put it down to listening to Reesy bleating all afternoon.
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Sorry i couldn’t make it Jim , but i’m glad i didn’t have to listen to Reesy.How come Reesy wasn’t playing,is he old,crocked or injured? or all three, not that it would make much difference to how he plays!!!!
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Oh nearly forgot well played Fletch
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Only saw the last 20 miniutes of the game with some great kicking into their 22. Great win and shall look forward to the North Ribb game. Fletch gather yiou didn’t see much of Sunday morning, bit ropey were you??
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Talk about giving a man a complex - what the hell did i do?
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Can’t remember to be honest Steve but if the wife’s still speaking to you and you’re not in custody then where’s the problem?
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You were hilarious mate! any plans for another get together soon?
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No probs then, cheers for the reassurance Doddsy - hope the bairn’s doing well - North Rib away?
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Unlikely in all honesty Steve, sleep being my current priority. Having said, I won’t throw the towel in just yet……..
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Nice one guys a step closer to safety (never in doubt). What with Scotland winning as well a rather good weekend all round!!!!!!