Wath 21 Ripon 8

Against a Ripon team on a five match winning streak and motivated by two recent close defeats to the home side, Wath had to be at their best. Fielding a strong team, Wath made a confident start and put the Ripon team under immediate pressure. After just 6 minutes Wath gained a line out only 5 metres from their opponents try line. A clean catch by Arran Tasker enabled the forwards to form an unstoppable maul and No.8 Joe Earp touched down. Whitlam converted and Wath lead 7-0.
The home side maintained their dominance and from a line out in a similar position to the first try they repeated the play. This time flanker, Tony Kenney was in possession as the Wath forwards crossed the try line. Whitlam took the score to 14-0, after 15 minutes.
Wath continued to play well but Ripon came more into the game. After 20 minutes they were awarded a kickable penalty and got on the scoreboard at 14-3.
After 35 minutes a Ripon scrum near their own line was demolished by the Wath pack and as their opposition were going backwards the ball squirted out and Tony Kenney gratefully gathered it up and went over, almost unopposed. Whitlam added a third conversion to put Wath up 21-3, going in to half time.
As the second half began it was obvious that the Ripon tactics were to try and open the game up more through their backs. Despite their efforts to offload the ball more the Wath defence tackled well with both centres, Alex Butterworth and Pat Selkirk, both excelling.
Wath couldn’t quite regain the dominance they had in the first half but did create several half chances to score the bonus point try but a lack of composure saw opportunities missed.
With 10 minutes left, a period of Ripon pressure ended with them creating an overlap, allowing their winger to score out wide. The conversion was wide but Wath’s lead was reduced to 21-8. The home side coaches and spectators may have had a few nerves and Ripon hoped for a grandstand finish as they had the upper -hand but the Wath team showed great determination and prevented any further score.
An excellent first half performance in particular provided the basis of a good win for Wath over an improving Ripon side. Next week Wath are at home again, Dinnington are the opposition.
Man of Steel in his first start for Wath, ( this season), was scrum half Josh Bird, for an inspiring performance.
Steve
Pres.