U13 York vs Ripon (Home)

Succumbing finally to peer and family pressure (especially from his bewildered father) Mr Harrison has returned from the wilderness of ‘Man at C&A’, and was dressed in a relatively responsible manner today (if you ignore the tie-dye shirt and suede cornish pasties on his hairy feet).

We were somewhat taken aback when the usually eminently sensible Mr Hey appeared wearing “stylish” yellow laced trainers that were once noted to adorn Mr Harrison’s hooves. Alarm bells were ringing though when Mr Stevens (well-known in certain York circles for his blousy tops) arrived attired in disturbingly similar footwear to the Harrison suedes. Was the malaise spreading?

We knew it was when Mr Stevens face turned ashen, and a woeful cry of “I’ve done a Harrison” fell from his lips. Mr Smart instantly assumed that what he meant was that he’d drunk a half of Babycham too many and taken to falling around the streets of Manchester. But no – it was worse. Mr Stevens had managed to leave the team kit at home in some macabre homage to his fellow fashionista (who did the unthinkable at Yarnbury a fortnight ago you will recall). Dear readers, once again, I encourage you to offer your retribution, sanctions, and penalties through the usual channel of our Team Manager.

On with the Game, which promised to be a good match from two sides, playing well this Season.

First Half

York k/o and take the play into Ripon’s half for a few minutes, playing around the 22m line. A penalty to York allows them to take it further on, with a scrum about 10m from the Ripon try-line. Connor nearly breaks through, but is taken into touch ~8m out. From the line-out Ripon make a great break, with one of their lads running 80+ metres to open the scoring (0-5) under the posts; converted (0-7).

York restart, and push deep into Ripon territory again, but Ripon win the ball and take it back to the York 10m line. A great tackle by Samuel halts Ripon’s advance. York move it back towards the half-way line, and then Leo makes a break to within 10m of Ripon’s try-line. He passes to Will K. and with the York lads now in numbers, the ball is carried and scrambled over the try-line, with Zak claiming the try (5-7); converted by Andre (7-7).

Ripon restart and York win a scrum – the York Forwards are working well at the set-pieces today against a bigger Ripon pack. Andre and Connor teaming well together to take the play back into the Ripon half. Ripon relieve the pressure with a kick deep into York territory, and a good follow-up. Andre clears the York lines with a kick to touch near the York 22m line. Ripon win their line-out and makes a break through the York defence to score (7-12); no conversion.

York Forwards playing well as a unit with some great counter rucking after the restart; Zak particularly is having a great game today. Some lovely team rugby now by York as they are determined to level the score again. Connor looks to have succeeded as he pushes through the last two Ripon defenders and dives over the line, but the ball spills from his hands as he falls and no try is awarded. York really applying the pressure now, and they win a line-out (Fraser) 25m from the Ripon try-line, and set-up a great rolling maul, pushing on deeper. Leo breaks off and runs down the touch-line to go over the try-line, but unfortunately also over the dead ball line; no try. Ripon kick the restart and follow-up well, taking play right up to within a few metres of York’s try-line. Stout defending by York, as Ripon go over the line, but are held-up. The 5m scrum restart is won by Ripon and quick ball gets them through the York defence and over to score again (7-17) ; converted (7-19). Half time.

Second Half

Ripon k/o to start the second half. Both sides working hard. A brilliant intercept by Leo at the York 22m line, and he runs all the way through to score (12-19), terrific effort; no conversion.

York Forwards continue to work well after the restart, and turnover the ball, with Andre then running 50m from York territory to the Ripon 22m line, before he is take into touch. The Ripon line-out is won by York though (Fraser), and Andre and Connor then work the ball between them to within 5m of the Ripon try-line before they were stopped. It was Ripon’s turn now to put the pressure onto York’s defence, which was finally relieved after a “hands in the ruck” infringement by Ripon, which allowed York to clear to their 22m line. Ripon were straight back though and won a scrum 5m out from which they scored again (12-24); converted (12-26).

York restart, but find themselves in a similar position soon, with a scrum 5m out; again Ripon score off the back of the scrum (12-31) ; no conversion.

York showing character now, and soon after the restart Leo collects the ball and runs it in to the corner (17-31); no conversion.

Ripon restart and are awarded a penalty near the York 22m line. Ripon catch York on the hop and score (17-36); no conversion.

York restart, and Ripon run it right back deep into York territory; Andre clears it into touch at the York 22m line. Gradually York take the play into Ripon territory, but lose the ball and a great break by Ripon takes it close to the York try-line. York defend strongly, but can’t stop Ripon getting through (17-41); no conversion.

York restart and are still working hard in the last couple of minutes. Andre kicks the ball low through the Ripon defence, with Leo following up well; the ball is over the try-line, but Ripon get to it first. Full time.

A terrific game by two excellent sides. Congratulations to both sides for a well fought match in testing windy conditions.

Well done to Barney for coming to cheer his mates on and run Touch; we wish him a speedy recovery.

Final Score York 17-41 Ripon