All junior training for this week has been cancelled due to the condition of the pitches and the heavy rain. U17’s to meet at 7.00pm for an indoor session on Tuesday.  U15’s to train on Wednesday at the club please bring tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

A decision on senior training will be taken this evening (Monday) and details posted.

Pitches at Mallorie Park are waterlogged so there will no training tonight. A decision will be made later about the potential cancellation of ALL junior training this week as the pitches were already in a poor state following last Thursday night’s training. The senior squad will have priority should the training pitch be available later in the week.

The Development Squad will meet indoors as planned in the new extension at 7.00 pm to discuss individual player development plans.

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.

Ripon U12s match against Wharfdale on the 16th December has been cancelled. Given the 2nd and 3rd teams (Adults) have cancelled today (Saturday 15th Dec) and the forecast for -3 C overnight with fog and temperatures of no more than +2 C tomorrow it has been decided to cancel our match tomorrow.

 All being well - 10 pin bowling next Sunday in Harrogate 11:00 - please confirm attendance.

A bright but cold Sunday morning saw Ripon U12s at Thirsk for games against Thirsk and Wensleydale. Due to depleted numbers Thirsk and Wensleydale fielded a combined team against Ripon for what proved to be some good rugby by both teams.

Ripon dominated the first half with some good combined backs and forwards play resulting in 5 tries and 4 conversions. Tries scored by Scott Ogilvie and converted by Gavin Nicholson.

The second half was a more even affair with the game dominated by a predominately Wensleydale forwards pack. (more…)

On what was probably the wettest and coldest match day this season, Ripon were at Wetherby for a friendly combined training and match session.

The foul weather saw plenty of volunteers for substitution (a novel experience!), in what proved to be a good and evenly balanced match from the two teams. The final scores had Wetherby at 33 – 5 tries and 4 conversions and Ripon at 35 – 5 tries and 5 conversions. Plus some very wet and muddy but happy Ripon players!

Tries scored by John Gault (2), Gavin Nicholson (1), and William Ranson (1) - Conversions by William Spence. Some great supporting play from Paddy Connell, James Woolfenden, and Joshua Webb to name but a few.