Brighton Rocks! The Ripleys attended the first ever Brighton Mini Tournament last Sunday 20th October. After a rainy bus ride we arrived to dry conditions, which remained until everyone was safely in the bar! The format was a single league with everyone playing each other with our matches being Pulborough, Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing and finally Hove. The tent was pitched in a pre- designated area (a first) and the boys were put though some basic warm ups prior to first game. The team was still missing a number of regular starters but welcomed Will for his first Ripley start and the return of Liam our captain. All the matches upto our last followed a similar patten of a strong forwards platform providing the backs with a high percentage of ball to work with. As we only had 14 players it can not be understated the effort of the pack who mostly played full matches against big opposition. What stands them apart is the way they play as a 5 boy unit, doing their jobs well, if they are not seen they have had a good game. That being said its great to see a forward gallop in the mid field!... The matches were won 2-0, 3-0, 5-0, and 3-0. In all these games a try was scored by a winger following second phase ball and the ball moved down the back line. Its great to see the elements of proper rugby being played. Additionally of note was our defence. In fairness to our opposition in all the games they offered great competitiveness, individual skill, and doggedness but not once did a team look like scoring. The forwards were aggressive at the breakdown, and the backs quickly up in defence, importantly as a unit. This allowed very little time for any of the opposition to mount any dangerous attacks. It was also great to see our defence against the kicking game, with our full back and wingers turning lost ground into fabulous scoring opportunities. Our final match was to be against Hove who also arrived to this point unbeaten. They had a similarly sized team and through watching their earlier matches good Ball skills/ rugby instinct. It proved not to be a game for the faint hearted, although the Ripleys won 3-0 there was little quarter given throughout. Again our defence proved a great attacking weapon and produced a number of Hove errors. Probably the big difference was the way the Ripleys played as a team, they backed each other up, supported well and with the first try scored the best of the day. To see all the backs draw and pass creating an overlap for the winger to race in was fantastic. A mark of a good team is the spread of try scorers, we now seem to have threats throughout the team rather than relying on the usual two or three boys. This is teamwork, we have used over 25 boys in the Ripleys so far all who have looked as if they belong, what a selection headache! Brighton were great hosts, a good bunch of boys and parents who we see a few times a year. Congratulation on a well run first tournament and may many follow. Team: Tomas, Hamish, Mango, Ben MJ, Ben S, Ed, Jonny, Will, Liam, Rory, Felix, Luca, Thomas, Harry. Oh and coaches Mark and Limey.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 19:13:15 +0000
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