This Weekends Action: Sat 09/04/2022

A big Saturday at Driffield RUFC this week, 1st XV welcome Pocklington 1st XV to Kelleythorpe in North One East,

1st XV go into this local derby knowing a win would secure them at least third in the league, and give us “promotion” to the newly created R1F league. The standard of rugby in the new league looks fantastic, im sure the lads a looking forward to it, but have been working hard preparing for Pocklington’s visit, a win is not a given.

Pock have had a very inconsistent season, they sit 10th in the league, P24, W 11, L 13 56 points. Their recent form has been very good though, since they lost at Morpeth 38-17 at the beginning of March, they lost at home to Ilkley 19-20, won at Cleckheaton 19-26 & beat Moortown 31 – 25 at Pocklington last time out.

Last time we met back in December, we won 23-11 at Pocklington, the season before it was home advantage winning the day, 22-20 at Driffield, 27-25 at Pocklington.

Our win at Morley made it 5 on the bounce for us, the Morley game was in the balance at half time, Driffield leading 13 – 6, however, Driffield’s superior fitness showed and we came home with 5 points after a 37-11 win.

In the league, we still sit top, 1 point ahead of Ilkley. Ilkley have a game in hand, they travel to Bradford & Bingley, 30th April. Their other two games are Durham (h) & Consett (a). Following the league form, i would be suprised if Ilkley did not come away from those 3 games with 15 points, which would make them champions. In third sit Cleckheaton, with 85 points. They have 2 fixtures remaining, Malton (h) & Durham (a), again i would expect Cleck to et at least 9 points from these two fixtures. Heath are the other team in the mix, they have a game in hand too, They host Morley this weekend, Host Scarborough the following weekend & travel to Pocklington on the final weekend. Heath have a tougher run in than Cleck, a bit of guess work, however i am going with 11 points from the 3 games.

If i am correct with the above, it would see the league finish Ilkley 105, Cleck 94, Heath 94. This means that Driffiield need at least 3 points to finish on 94 (joint 2nd) & 4 points to finish clear second. All if’s & but’s, however it gives us a little direction. If we win the last 2 games we finish second at worse.

Driffield & Pocklington Colts face off as a curtain raiser at 12.30, 4th team are playing Pock 3rd’s at Pocklington.

Our Ladies beat Carlisle Cougars on Sunday in a winner takes all match. Driffield needed a 5 point win, and to not let Carlisle get a LBP to win the league. They managed all of this and finish the season as league champions and promotion for next season, many congratulations to all involved. The 2nd team have development fixture at Malton on Sunday.

Our Club dinner is Next Thursday, at the club house, anyone wanting a place place speak with Dom, Kerry or Veronica to secure your place.

Steve Knowles memorial game is Easter Saturday, KO is

Driffield RUFC 1st XV v Pocklington RUFC 1st XV, Sat 09/04/2022, KO 15:00

1 – Nellon, 2 – Robson, 3 – Pettinger

4 – Turner, 5 – Cullen

6 – Jenkinson, 7 – Mewburn (C), 8 – Johnson

9 – Robinson, 10 – Murray Ry

12 – Sowersby J, 13 – Dinsdale B

11 – Blacker, 14 – Rix R, 15 – Watts J

16 – Blenkinsop, 17 – Shirt, 18 TBC

 

Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White