Right result returns, rampaging round Ripley Rhinos!

Both teams were bolstered by a number of first team players in a game that had more spillages than a BP Oil rig, due to appalling slippery conditions on a school pitch that for some unknown reason had athletics track markings on it in February. The 100m slide was a distinct possibility in the conditions.

Ripley were out of the blocks like lightning and were 7 nil up within 5 minutes of the kick-off. Playing up the slope they stole one against the head at Keyworth’s first scrummage and drove over from close range. Their outside half obliged with the conversion. They kept Keyworth under considerable pressure for the next 5 minutes before young lock forward Adam Waldron picked up a loose ball on his own 22 and set off on an amazing 75m charge to the try line. His initial burst took the home defence by surprise and he was through the first line before they could react, as he brushed aside the initial tackle attempt. Onward he drove and as the cover converged on him he first outstripped it and then delivered a perfect hand-off to catapult himself the final 15m to the line. A magnificent effort and it brought belief to a Keyworth team, who at that point had failed to secure any first phase possession whatsoever. Conversion missed, the score stood at 7 – 5.

It was another 10 minutes before the next score, halfway through the half. It went to the home side whose outside half kicked a penalty from 25m out to extend the lead, after the visitors were guilty of a number of infringements which displeased the local official. As before, Keyworth replied with a score of their own, just 5 minutes later. After a number of drives at the home line, a 5m scrum was awarded and with the pack now starting to gain ascendancy in the tight, they drove the home side back over their own line and No. 8 Lee ‘Hightower’ Broadhead got the touchdown, this time well converted by Jamie Birch, who had taken over the kicking duties. !2 – 10 to Keyworth and that’s how it stood till the half.

The team talk at half-time was all about the need to work hard up the not inconsiderable slope and to keep driving the opposition of their own scrummage ball. Rob Linthwaite came on for the ageless Wayne Jowett, who had had a great first half, with some strong runs and even stronger scrummaging. Within 5 minutes of the restart they had done just that in almost a carbon copy of the previous try, Lee Broadhead again touched down after a scrum close to the Ripley line.

Keyworth’s 7 point lead didn’t last too long as they found themselves defending against a home team determined to restore parity. On 50 minutes, the Ripley No. 8 strode over almost unopposed after linking superbly with his scrum half who had broken from a lineout on the visitor’s 22. This slack defending was in danger of costing Keyworth dear as the scores were levelled at 17 apiece.

However, a second magnificent Keyworth try was scored just another 5 minutes later. With a static ruck on halfway, right winger Jamie Birch came infield on a long arcing run and calling for the ball, got a beautifully timed pop pass from veteran scrum half Tich Shields. Birch’s trajectory saw him glide past the opposition back-line before outstripping the cover defence to touch down from 50m out. He duly converted his own try to give the visitors a 24 – 17 lead.

The next score was also Keyworth’s as a series of penalties at the scrummage allowed them to work their way upfield. From a scrum 15m short of the Ripley line, the pack drove them back in a fantastic display of control in difficult conditions. With the home pack in disarray and splintering to the four winds and keyworth a matter of metres away from the line, the referee commendably awarded the Penalty try. Birchie the Boot made it 31 – 17 and that folks, was all she wrote!

A great bonus point win after an appalling start and atrocious conditions. A big thanks to the first teamers who helped out after numerous injuries and work-calls had wreaked havoc on the original selection. Further thanks to those such as Adam Sheen who played out of position as hooker and to Chris Mackintosh at outside half who had something of a curate’s egg of a game. Great play one moment and next putting his team under severe pressure with a wild pass or similar. His constant call of “Macca’s here” did sound frighteningly like Jack Nicholson in the Shining. However, it was great communication on a day when passes had to be kept close and support play was vital.

James Maddock again delivered some crunching tackles and worked tirelessly at the coalface. Phil Parnham tackled and carried well throughout and young Jack Starr had his best game to date in a Keyworth shirt as he tackled well, drove well and won some valuable lineout ball late on. Mark King and Tom Holmes defended well in the centres and Dan Benfield on the left wing did everything that was asked of him.

With a journey to top of the table East Retford lined up for next Saturday, the Keyworth second team squad really need to make every effort to take the strongest possible team up there.