This Weekend’s Action, Saturday 01/10/2022
This weekend we have 5 senior teams out, 1st;’s & 2nd’s both travel to York, 3rd’s & 4th’s Host Scarborough 2nd’s & 3rd’s at Kelleythorpe, the Ladies travel to Sale Ladies on Sunday.
Driffield travel to York with confidence high, sitting top of the league, having won 4 from 4 and taking the maximum 20 points. I’m sure York will be looking to put a stop to our superb start to the season, and a stern test they will surely be.
York have won 2 and lost 2 so far this season, Winning at Doncaster Phoenix last Friday evening, and beating Cleckheaton at York the week before. Thier two loses came at Billingham 24 – 14 & at Alnwick 13-10.
It has been a few years since we met. We spent 2 seasons in North One East together 18/19 & 19/20. 18/19 season York did the double on us in two very tight games, 22-23 at Driffield & 24 – 22 at York. The following season Driffield won at home, 22-18. Then covid hit, so the return fixture did not happen. The Rfu then decided on previous form how the leagues should be finished, and York (rightly so) were promoted the North premier. Driffield finished in 4th. York did well in their 1st season in the North premier, Winning 9 games. Finishing 10th in the league. Our promotion last season at least means we have ‘Local Derby’.
We come into this game top of the league, 100% win rate, 100% points. our wins have all come against the bottom 4 teams in the league, however, Alnwick lost at Paviors last weekend, Ilkley scrapped past Paviors & Sandal. Although it does look like this league might be a bit too much for West Bridgford. I’m pretty sure Sandal, Paviors & Scunthorpe will start picking up wins soon. I believe taking maximum points from the first 4 games is a fantastic achievement, that many would have doubted before the season started, i also believe we can carry it on a bit further into season.
A few changes again in the squad this week. Pettinger is nursing a knock and needs a little bit longer, Nellon has once again departed Driff RUFC for a few months due to work commitments. Blenkinsop & Mckinnon start in the front row along side Ramsden. Gleeson makes his 1st start in the second row. In the backs, Rix suffered an arm injury against West Bridgford, Watts unavailable has forced a re-shuffle. Blacker comes in at Full back, with Brankley starting at 12. Dervey, Sowersby & Brigham make up the bench.
Second team will be looking to make up for the loss at Harrogate last Saturday, we had been missing quite a few second team regulars, so the loss, although not we want, also showed strength and the coaches were happy sending a team a playing rugby.
3rd’s & 4th’s both have their 1st games of the season at home to Scarborough 2nd’s & 3rd’s, 3pm Ko if you fancy watching some rugby at Driffield.
The ladies look to bounce back from last minute loss to Sefton last weekend. I’m sure they learnt a lot from their experience. They face a tough test traveling to sale on Sunday,
In the league, Heath are the only other side to have a 100 % record, beating Scunthorpe last weekend 50-16. DP lost at home to York on Friday, Billingham beat Cleckheaton away winning 49-7, Ilkley just saw off Sandal 26 -22, Paviors beat Alnwick 35 – 22.
York RUFC 1st XV v Driffield RUFC 1st Xv, Saturday 01/10/2022. KO 15:00
1 Blenkinsop, 2 Ramsden, 3 Mckinnon
4 Grant, 5 Gleeson
6 Turner, 7 Jenkinson (c), 8 Falkingham
9 Robinson, 10 Murray Ry
12 Brankley, 13 Dinsdale
11 Short, 14 Harrison, 15 Blacker
16 Sowersby, 17 Dervey, 18 Brigham
Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White.