RIPON @ HOME

On Saturday there was a feast of festive entertainment at Northallerton rugby club with all four senior sides fielding teams, three at home and one away.
Northallerton Ladies kicked off the day at Brompton Lodge with the opening match against Ripon Ladies at noon.
In a game that was played through a constant downpour of drizzling rain, both teams showed a good array of skills, especially in the terrible conditions. Ripon Ladies just edged proceedings by three tries to one. Norths sole try coming from Lynn ‘Bobo’ Cunningham on her first game back from injury. Player of the match was awarded to Emily Gray - nee McCormack.

Northallerton men’s first team then took to the pitch to play local rivals Ripon.
Despite Ripon controlling the first fifteen minutes and taking a five point lead, North dug deep and came back to grind out a 24-10 victory.
Norths tries came from Ashley Rio, Joe Hargreaves, Alexander Metcalfe and the evergreen Simon Manthorpe. Rio added one conversion plus another by Jedd Bainbridge.
The win keeps North in second place of Yorkshire 2 and six points clear of next placed Wath.
Man of the match was awarded to Phil Swall.
Next week North make the long journey to play North Ribblesdale near Settle, kick off at 2.15pm.

Northallerton second team made the journey away to play Ripon 2nds and returned with a narrow 12-10 victory. Norths tries coming from the Harry Potter lookalike, Jack Radcliffe and Doug Mulholland, Matty Wheeler adding the telling conversion.
Man of the match was awarded to Radcliffe.
Next week North are awaiting fixture confirmation.

Finally, North third team had an outing at home to Yarm seconds and had the most comfortable victory of the day with a 47-12 win.
Norths resounding win came via four tries for Stan Welford (Parry) plus a try apiece for Gareth Essex, Paul Dennison and Chris Macaneany.
Brian Tucker added four conversions.
Welford deservingly being awarded man of the match.
After the home games the crowd enjoyed a vast and highly enjoyable buffet provided by Sue Mulholland and sponsored by Ripon Farm Services. There then followed Norths Christmas party organised brilliantly by Sandy Gray and attended by over a hundred people.

Thank you
H Johnson’s