Ripon were the visitors to Grange park this weekend with promises of a side full of youth and talent. Although anyone would look youthful and talented playing next to ex captain/ ex dieter Ian Barker

Wetherby were out for revenge after a lacklustre performance away at Ripon earlier in the season losing 13-7.

Ripon kicked off proceedings in near tropical conditions. After an even battle in the first 15, pressure from the home team gave Harry Kaye a kickable penalty. 3-0

Wetherby started to take advantage of the soft Ripon underbelly’s with some big handoffs by Will (“can’t remember what happened after fibre”) Palombo and some aggressive carry’s by James Carson. Eventually getting back into the Ripon 22 for a line out. A well executed line out move saw Steve (Forsyth) Hoather set free down the left wing, he selflessly fed the ball back inside to Harry Johnson for an easy dot down.

Half time 8-0

Wetherby kicked off the second half into a light summers breeze. Ripon upped the pressure early on. Alex Parrish was caught dreaming of pugs and half glasses of ale as Ripon put in a testing kick. This was Ripon’s first visit to Wetherby’s 22. And after some phases they found them self with a penalty in a kickable position 8-3

Wetherby’s next points came from the penalty and try factory that is the scrum. Freddie (organic) Watson was the beneficiary after Bradley Mason walked straight through the Ripon pack only to find Pablo Escobar was playing 8. Kaye converts. 15-3

The Red and Whites were straight back down into Ripon’s 22. Great patience in the phase play saw Will Blakey sent down the right wing with just the full back to run over for an easy 5 pointer…. Or so we thought. Unfortunately for Will he still thinks he weighs 19.5st, a whole lockdown of bean salads and mums peloton bike have left him a shadow of his former self. Held up, 22 drop out.

Second half finishers Rob Adair, Adam Shaw and Jim Greenwood made a huge difference. Unfortunately for Evan (steve 2.0) Woodworth he chose to wait until after he had been ran straight over to sub himself off.

Wetherby once again bullied them selves back into Ripon’s 22, red squirrel Adam shaw took the glory with a cannon ball like finish. 20-0

The Wetherby boys were desperate for a bonus point, and after a silky forwards move put Hoather and Harry Johnson down the middle with a simple two on one it looked on. Just like Harry’s hairline the pass from Hoather faded away. It wasn’t to be.

The final score flattered the away team a little who probably wouldn’t have scored if they were still playing now.

Final score 20-3

Mom James Carson - absolute beast
DoD Will Blakey - see above

Report by George Gilbert