Ripon 1st team secured a valuable home win over Goole today as the battle for survival in Yorkshire 2 hots up. Ripon were quick out of the blocks showing determination to get a much needed win. Goole quickly found themselves on the back foot as the home pack drove them deep into the 22. Prop Mark Curtis was prominent in the loose, repeatedly taking the ball over the gainline. Ripon’s push was halted temporarily as flanker Gary Denver needed treatment for a nasty cut caused by a clash of heads.

The opening score (9 mins) came after some quick thinking by winger Gareth Matthews who chased down a clearance kick into the Ripon half. His quick throw in saw the ball moved into midfield where full back Jason Bell combined with centre Van Dyk to stretch the Goole defence before Matthews popped up to finish off the sweeping move. Richard Hooks added the extras leaving the home crowd buoyed by the excellent start. (more…)

Sunday saw the visit of Harrogate to play the Yorkshire Cup semi final and in a close match it was the visitors who went away with the spoils. As in all the previous matches between these two teams it was another hard faught game with both sides playing good rugby throughout the match. Report below. (more…)

Ripon Wakemen travelled to Selby to take on their 3rd XV, the visitors including four 17 year olds in their starting line up.  Ripon started the game brightly despite conceding territory to Selby with Conor Hurley scoring some early success in the lineout battle.  However two Selby penalties saw them ease into a 6-0 lead. 

Ripon were facing into the strong wind and were guilty of not keeping the game tight enough and a mistake lead to Selby’s first try.  Ripon tried to run the out of their own 22 only to be met by a strong onrushing defence; a pressurised kick was then collected by Selby who spun the ball wide to the left.  They crashed over in the left corner and the try was awarded despite the fact that the Ripon defence appeared to have prevented the grounding.  The successful conversion extended the lead to 13-0. (more…)

With Yorkshire Cup semi final matches looming for both sides it was the development squads turn take the field for a full match and stake their case for inclusion in the cup squad. Undaunted by facing up to a physically bigger squad Ripon showed just what depth we have at this age level and put in a superb performance. Match report below. (more…)

Ripon U12s were away to Harrogate on Sunday for our return match of the season against Harrogate. The wet and muddy pitches certainly left all the players looking the same shade of mud by the end of the match – a match where both teams played some good rugby. Ripon were the first to put a try on the score sheet within the first couple of minutes by a good run by James Woolfenden – conversion by Gavin Nicholson.

Harrogate responded with a try themselves within the first 10 minutes. The first half ended-up being a fairly even game with no further tries scored.

The second half again saw some good rugby from both teams, but it was Ripon who dominated the score sheet with three further tries by Alex Speight, Paddy Connell and James Woolfenden. All were converted by Gavin Nicholson. The Harrogate score did not reflect their determination, but a strong defence by Ripon on our five metre line (on a number of occasions!) just kept Harrogate shy of further tries.

Mention must go to John Gault and William Spence who put in some superb play for the team.

The final score - Ripon 28 – Harrogate 7.

Once again Ripon under 11’s come through a very difficult tie against a strong Ilkley side to continue into the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup. In a fantastic match dominated by two excellant defensive displays Ripon go through due to a 0-0 draw and being the away team. Match report below: (more…)

The Under 11’s finally made their long awaited debut in the Yorkshire Cup, and what a debut it was, travelling to Sheffield RUFC they handed the home team a 0-40 defeat to see them progress to the second round. A fantastic display by the whole squad, including all the players who didn’t make the 17 man squad but still travelled to support their team. Match report below: (more…)

Well done to Development Squad players Dean Sidley, Conor Hurley and Chris Armsby who all had a run out in today’s fixture against Harrogate Waifs & Strays. Dean played a full game at scrum half whilst Conor and Chris shared a half each for Harrogate who were short in numbers. Conor then replaced Bob Champion in the Ripon side about midway through the second half. Ripon ran out winners despite the atrocious weather.

Ripon u13`s held the first round of the North Yorkshire Cup at Mallorie Park on Sunday. There were four teams involved , Ripon, Selby, York and Thirsk . The weather was dreadful and the pitch very wet, Ripon`s first game against Thirsk ended with a home win , two tries for Glenn May and a try and three conversions for Guy Watkinson.

In the second game Ripon played York, this was a tight game from the start . York were the first to score , Ripon replied with a try from Glenn May , Brandon Sweeney then scored quickly followed by another York try, 14-10 to York, one minute left. (more…)

Ripon emerged victorious from their trip to Lockwood Park despite having a squad depleted through injury and illness. Full report here.