Sat 19 Oct 2019, 15:00
Hegians travelled to Ripon looking to get back to winning ways after being defeated the previous week by Rishworthians. With captain Alex Jones returning at full back and Elliot Jackson back at centre Hegians were able to put out a strong team. Angus Read came in at lock to replace Dale Cowling who was unavailable.
Hegians got off to a good start when they were able to turnover ball and go through a number of phases but good Ripon defence meant that they could not get close to scoring. A good chip over the top by the Ripon winger who then picked up the ball on the bounce and with only Alex Jones to defend, the winger stepped inside to score a good try under the posts, which he converted himself. Soon after crum half Harry Wollaston had to go off injured which resulted in a rearrangement with Henry Wareham moving to scrum half and Jonny Thorpe coming on at full back
It didn’t take long for Hegians to respond as a good long miss pass from James Dobson put Tom Bennett in space. A good chip allowed him to catch the full back deep in the 22 but he just could not get the score. However, the ball was quickly recycled to the right as Elliot Jackson used his strength to break 2 tackles and force his way over the line for a try which was converted by Alex Jones.
Hegians were quickly back on the attack and gained an attacking scrum outside the Ripon 22 but a good push from Ripon disrupted the scrum and Dave Wilson had to dive on the ball. The ball went loose to Henry Wareham who dived on the ball but with a Ripon player hitting him before he could get up the referee awarded a penalty which Alex Jones struck over to take the lead to 10-7.
From the kick off Hegians were harshly penalised when Jon Carter was judged to have obstructed the defender who was coming to tackle Ali Coe who was charging through the middle. The kicker pushed the ball wide.
A good driving run by James Dobson brought Hegians on the attack and a good inside pass from Alex Jones to Ali Coe produced a penalty which Alex Jones converted to take the lead to 13-7
Half Time Ripon 7- Roundhegians 13
Ripon were soon on the attack in the second half as their No 8 made a good run and only desperate tackling by Hegians prevented a try but in the process they gave a penalty away which the Ripon winger kicked to take the score to Ripon 10- Roundhegians 13
Hegians were having problems now with dealing with a good Ripon lineout and also at times with the scrums so were forced on to the defence but good tackling prevented any scoring. After a penalty was awarded Hegians were able to get into the Ripon 22 and almost got over the line from a scrum 5 metres out but Ripon cleared their lines. However, from the next lineout Hegians run a good backs move to put Alex Miyambo in space as he scored in the corner. With the missed conversion Hegians were now 18-10 in the lead.
With 15 minutes left Hegians immediately gave a penalty away to leave a 5 point gap. Hegians were then forced to defend for the rest of the game and twice held up Ripon attacks over the line. Hegians found it hard to get out their own half and had to rely on a committed defensive effort to hold out.
Ripon had one last chance when they earned a penalty and opted for the lineout in the corner but as the throw was not straight it meant that the referee blew for full time and Hegians held out for the win
Full Time Ripon 13 Roundhegians 18
This was a tough game for Hegians against a good Ripon side as they had problems dealing with the Ripon lineout in particular but the positives were that when they got close to the Ripon line they took their chances well and when they had to defend they showed the determination and commitment to win. Hegians will expect another tough game next Saturday when they are at home against Wath kick off 3.00pm
