Ripon v Pontefract

Ripon v Pontefract
Pontefract travelled up the A1 hoping for a change of fortunes and to get back on to winning ways. Pontefract’s home match against their opposition had shown that the Ripon pack was a strong unit so were expecting a stiff game if they were to get a share of the ball for their backs to exploit their pace.
Luckily the rain had stopped and the surface was fairly dry by kick off time which suited the visitors.
Pontefract showed their intention to run the ball whenever possible, this was backed up by good support play by the back row and this began to cause the home team some problems at the ruck resulting in a number of penalties to Pontefract which kept Ripon pinned in their own half. When they were caught off side on their own 22 Glenn Boyd opened Pontefract’s scoring 0-3 to Pontefract after ten minutes. Ripon tried to get their young backs moving but sound defence kept snubbing out attacks so when offered a long range penalty on the 15 minute mark, Ripon opted to go for goal and even the scores. Boyd was on the mark again a few minutes later as Ripon were again penalised at a ruck trying to slow down the ball. Score 3-6 to Pontefract, but this was cancelled out after a Pontefract tackle was judged high. Score 6-6.
Pontefract kept up their high tempo game and a number of chances were squandered where a bit more vision or steadiness of pass would have produced points when the Ripon defence was stretched . On the half hour mark the Scholey brothers caused a turn over by ripping the ball away in a maul just outside the Ripon 22. They took it in turns to drive into the 22 before releasing the ball to Rob Stringer making a welcome return from injury. He drove for the line taking four of the opposition back with him. Quick support from a number of Pontefract players drove him over to score out wide on the left. The extras were narrowly missed, score now 6-11 to Pontefract.
Pontefract then came under the cosh for the last ten minutes of the half as they elected to kick possession away rather than go through the phases. Luckily for them Ripon could not convert a number of penalties that came their way and the score remained unchanged at half time.
The second half started with Ripon in charge as Pontefract chose to kick to try and relieve pressure. Good defence kept the home team out but had no answer when Ripon ran a blind side move from a ruck inside the Pontefract 22. The scrum half’s pass was brilliantly tipped on to the winger who sprinted the last ten metres for the right corner. The conversion fell short, score 11 each.
Pontefract were soon down to 14 men for a yellow card for not rolling away in a tackle but rather than being able to make their advantage pay Ripon found themselves up against an enlivened defence. An injury to Jack Beddis actually strengthened Pontefract’s hand, with Rob Scholey moving to second row the Pontefract pack began to push their opponents off the ball. On the 60 minute mark Josh Walker saw space deep in the Ripon 22 on the right touch line. His kick made the Ripon winger turn and good follow up work ensured he played the ball. The result was three 5 metre scrum to Pontefract. In the first two, Pontefract drove the Ripon pack back but could not get over on the third, they released quick ball to the backs. Fullback Sanderson cut back against the play to score close to the posts. Boyd added the extras, score 11-18.
Ripon now felt the pressure and had difficulty getting out of their own half and Boyd added another penalty again for preventing quick ball from a ruck 11-21.
Again a number of chances went begging but with young props Anesh Chabba and Phil Lane dominating the front row pressure on the Ripon pack kept building. Right on 80 minutes on their own put in Ripon were driven back, Josh Walker harried his opposite number producing a loose ball which was picked up by Rob Scholey who released it to the backs. Simple quick passing found skipper Fawcett in space who drew the last cover to give Ross Shand a simple run in in the right corner. The conversion narrowly missed . The final score 11-26 to Pontefract.
After only 2 games in March it was expected that the attack would be a bit rusty but Pontefract will need to be sharp and avoid squandering possession if they are to overcome 2nd in the League Keighley next week.