Week 6 Predictions (08/11/25)

[Useless Utility]

Halifax RU doubted by everyone.

Cant teach an old dog new tricks they say.

But a disciplined Halifax is a dangerous one!

[Locked Out]

Credit where it's due to Halifax, they put in a massive defensive shift that snuffed out most of Ripon's attacking options and conceded only five penalties in the whole game. Whilst the ref's interpretation of advantage and some of the hand signal were a bit vague, Ripon conceded many more penalties and with a yellow and red card for seemingly innocuous offences, need to look again at game management.

A tough game from start to finish and whilst Halifax had limited success at the line out early on, they made weight of numbers tell at scrum time. Ripon finished strongly and whilst a couple of scoring opportunities went begging, Halifax scored when they could and got their deserved win and try bonus. Ripon will take time out next week to lick wounds and ponder how to push potential into winning ways.

Plus, if anyone is on here from Halifax, great to see the MOTM tradition held true and apologies for the Ripon error in thinking they'd not played there before. Plaque on the wall proved it! Ripon doesn't however, have a Halifax shield on display, so a consideration in time for the return game.