Driffield 38 – 26 Sandal : Saturday, 14 September
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The last season that the two teams played each other was in 2009-10. On both occasions, Driffield lost : 18-24 at home and 9-24 away. In fact, since 1996 they had played seven times and never won. Today was the day to put that record to an end.
Driffield started brightly, and won a scrum 25 out and a little left of the sticks with just three minutes gone. Sandal did not drive straight, and a kick-able penalty was awarded, but was missed.
Driffield kept the pressure on until, with 10 minutes gone, scrum pressure seven yards out secured the ball, and it was spun right. Hughes carried well, but was stopped just short. He presented the ball well and Sowersby picked up to dive over for the try. Stanyon’s conversion attempt bounced back out off the post. D 5 – 0 S
Not long after, Webster cut through the line from his own half but a desperate tackle attempt was high, and the whistle went without advantage as he still had one man to beat. The Sandal second row was given ten minutes on the sidelines.
Driffield continued to camp in the Sandal 22, and a try looked likely when they had a ruck one yard out. But the Sandal 15 came in offside, spoiling the chance and the referee had no hesitation showing him yellow too.
The pressure continued, with Sandal rarely getting any ball, not helped by a man down. Finally, with 25 gone, the ball was worked to the right to Scurry. He drew the last man, handing off to Brankley who galloped through acres of space to score, converted by Stanyon. D 12 – 0 S
Almost from the restart, Driffield returned to the Sandal 22 and pressurised. From a ruck, the ball was sent left finding Scurry. He cut inside his man and went in for the try to the left of the posts. Stanyon converted. D 19 – 0 S
At just after the half-hour, Driffield were camped on the Sandal line, and only continued solid defence kept them out. But finally Hughes found the smallest of gaps and wriggled through to score, and Stanyon converted. D 26 – 0 S
On the stroke of half-time, an outrageous looped pass out to the left wing found Hughes who made it down the wing to score in the corner from 25 out. The conversion was missed and the half-time whistle went. D 31 – 0 S
The second half was almost a mirror of the first – this time with Sandal having all the ball, and Driffield having to withstand the pressure. Whatever had been said in the changing room at half-time had obviously worked.
With ten minutes gone, having ground their way up the park, they broke from the 22 to score right of the sticks, converted. D 31 – 7 S
Five minutes later they were held up over the Driffield line, but kept the pressure on and finally squeezed over in the right corner, too far out for a conversion. D 31 – 12 S
Shortly after, it was Robinson’s turn to take ten for a high tackle. Sandal seized the man advantage, and worked their way in at the left corner, followed by a touchline conversion. D 31 – 19 S
With fifteen left in the game, Driffield finally got into the Sandal 22, winning a penalty. The conversion attempt did not go well, so the scoreboard was not troubled.
With ten minutes left, the Sandal centre broke through the line from their own ten-metre line, and outpaced the defence to score. The conversion was good, and Sandal had closed the gap to a score. D 31 – 26 S
Scarcely believing that Driffield had squandered most of a 31 point lead, the spectators held their breath.
With five to go, Hughes collected a Sandal clearance kick on his own 22. He tore up the right wing making 50 yards, before flipping the ball to Rix on his shoulder who went in for the try. New recruit Barr slotted an excellent conversion from wide out to make the final score D 38 – 26 S
Both teams benefitted from a try bonus point, and Driffield claimed the full five.
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