Victory on the Road

On Saturday Wath upon Dearne RUFC made the journey to Ripon in a Yorkshire League 2 match. Both sides sit mid table with Wath slightly higher in the standings. Although the skys were clear the pitch was very heavy under foot which would affect both sides attacking game.

Wath were the first out of the blocks, following a period of sustained pressure Wath had a line out five metres out and the pack powered over the line with prop James McCarthy dotting the ball down.

Wath pushed on and around the thirty minute mark they were over again, a telling break from Skipper Ashley Rothery gave good field position before the pack took over and back row Joe Earp burst over from close range. 0-12.

Before the half was over the home side were over for a deserved score after dominating the closing stages of the half 7-12.

Into the second half and the home side pushed on, Ripon pounced on a loose ball and raced over in the corner to score. 12-12.

Wath now had to dig deep, the scrum was struggling but they had a solid platform in the line out. Debutant winger, 17 year old Adam Clark was impressing in both attack and defence and Wath were able to control their possession slightly better than the home side. On 60 minutes Wath edged back in the lead with a penalty for stand off Jack Whitlam.

On 70 minutes this lead was further extended with another penalty 12-18.

With ten minutes to play Ripon threw the kitchen sink at Wath, but the Wath defence was holding firm, Ripon earned a penalty and the referee said there was time for the lineout, they duly kicked to the corner and were just five metres out. Lock Joey Minshull read the lineout superbly, won the jump to ball and Wath were able to get the ball of the pitch and seal a hard fought win on the road.

Final score Ripon 12 Wath upon Dearne 18