This Weekend’s Action: Driffield Vs Malton. Sat 18/12/2021

Its a real Derby weekend as the club competes against Malton & Norton RUFC, 1st’s & 4ths at Kelleythorpe, 3rds go to the Gannock. No game for the 2nds as Otley cried off.

A warm welcome to Players, Officials & Supporters to Kelleythorpe this Saturday for this North One East fixture. Driffield will be looking to get a second derby win on the trot following last weekend’s win at Pocklington.

The game at Pocklington finished in near pitch dark, as a result both clubs have agreed to a 2PM KO, 12.15 Sit down if you are at the ‘sold out’ pre-match meal.

So to this weeks opponents, Malton are having a steady season, currently sitting 8th in the league, P12, W5, D1, L6, 31 Points. They have has some good results so far, winning at Heath 15 – 20 back in September stands out, They were only just beaten at Brods 40 – 32 at the end of October. However, they have lost 2 of their last 3 games. They beat Consett 20 -38, Lost at Ilkley 33 – 21 & last weekend lost to Cleckheaton at the Gannock, 16 – 22.

That mostly counts for nothing in these derby matches though, our fixture at the gannock on the second weekend of the season ended in a draw. Driffield went out in front, but Malton managed to get back into the game and levelled the scores. Driffield had a chance to win it with a last minute penalty, but that was sent wide. so a 26 all draw it ended. Last season home advantage was the key, Malton won at the Gannock 28 – 7, whilst we won 45 – 31 at Kelleythorpe. Our games at Kelleythorpe have usually been tight affairs. However last time Malton won at kelleythorpe was 25th September 2004.

Last week we played pretty well against a good Pocklington side, our defence was very good, Pocklington scored with their 1st attack of the game, however, Driffield had not touched the ball and regrouped very well to get back straight into the game. We Pocklington to 3 points after that, scoring 23 points un answered.

I believe we have used over 40 players in our 1st team so far this season, which i think is an amazing fact, add to that we are sat top of the league, having only lost the once, it shows the whole club is working together, Bash, Tosh, Coops & Mitch are doing a great job.

A few changes (again) in this weekends squad. Pettinger picked up a strain against Pocklington, Furbank is also unavailable, Foxton & Robson start at props, Ramsden Starts at Hooker. Captain Mewburn is back to fitness so starts at 7, Forbes is unavailable. The backs remain the same. On the bench, Harrison continues joined by Rob Murray & M Blenkinsop / B Clappison.

Unfortunately our second team fixture against Otley has been cancelled as Otley could not raise a team, so they have a week off. Third team go to the Gannock to face Malton 2nd’s whilst the Fourth team host Malton 3rds.

Driffield RUFC 1st XV v Malton & Norton RUFC 1st XV, Sat 18/12/2021, KO 2PM

1 Foxton, 2 Ramsden, 3 Robson

4 Brant, 5 Turner

6 Sowersby, 7 Mewburn, 8 Jenkinson

9 Robinson, 10 Watts

12 Brankley, 13 Soanes

11 Short, 14 Blacker, 15 Murray

16 Harrison, 17 Murray Rob, 18 Blenkinsop / Clappison.

JUST A REMINDER IT IS A 2PM KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND.

Steve Knowles Memorial Match will be Monday 27th December, KO 1.30pm.

Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White,