West Park go out of the Cup

OH, how times change as West Park Bramhope, semi-finalists three years ago, entertained Ripon in the Intermediate Cup first round. The North Yorkshire outfit, who play in a league below, were deserving winners over a struggling home outfit.

Ripon had the match winner in winger Bell, who ran in a hat-trick of tries, the first opening the scoring on ten minutes. Ian Moule fought gamely to step it up for Park as he held the full-back over the line from ensuing scrum prop Craig Hardy, who was held up over the line, and Gareth Baker, on the wing, decided to come inside with the line begging in the corner.

However, a break from the elusive Jason Holmes was carried on by Hardy, who released new winger David Grose to score wide out. Park kept up the pressure and Moule worked a blind side move to send the impressive Paul Minns over in the corner. Park deserved their 10-5 interval lead.

An easy missed penalty by Holmes at the start of the half was Park's last effort for a long time as they ran out of steam. Ripon were opening up Park out wide as three quick tries, one of which was converted, put them into an unassailable lead.

A late try in the corner by Joel Whitehead, well converted by Holmes, set up a tense finish but Ripon held out without too much trouble. Although Park still have a few players to return on this evidence another long, hard season is in prospect.