Here we are, the last weekend of the season. This weekend like all those that have been through the season, is packed with rugby.
1st XV welcome Morpeth for their North One East league game, sponsored by AMK Fuel Services Ltd.
Driffield lost for the 1st time since January last weekend in the Turnbull Trophy at Bridlington. Driffield put out the strongest team available last weekend, and will be expecting a couple of faces back in action this weekend. Brid played well, and deserved the win. A great crowd and a good day out for a few of the supporters. I’m pretty sure the two teams will have a few different faces in when we meet them next year in the league. Match Report Here
Before that Driffield had continued with their winning run of form, winning at Alnwick for the first time in our club’s history. A tense game saw the lead swap between both sides, but Driffield managed to get a late try and that was the difference. The downside was that we picked up a couple of injuries, with Rob Mewburn out of action for the final two games.
This match will be Paul Dervey’s last game as captain. I think we all should buy him a beer after the game (if he is allowed to stay) – his work not only the 1st XV skipper but as club captain has been among the very best we have seen. He has pulled the club together, and rather than playing each Saturday as 4 different teams, we now play as one and celebrate as one. He has big boots to fill in that role. He is still available for selection; as we know, props get better with age- ask Col or Nelly.
Morpeth currently sit 9th in the league on 60 points, 13 behind us in 5th. They have had a mixed season, winning 12 and losing 13: won 7 and lost 6 at Home, and won 5 and lost 6 on their travels. They are a team that enjoy their travels at present; in their last 5 away games they have only been beaten by Pocklington, with victories over YMCA, Dinnington, Durham City Wheatley Hills. They also beat Penrith in Morpeth mid-season and narrowly lost to West 3 weeks ago. Morpeth Rufc Website.
Head to Head
We made the journey north in the 1st round of league games. In a tight contest Morpeth came out on top 17-5 in a game the Driffield supporters thought we should have won. Last season it was 1 win each, Morpeth again beating us in the 1st round with a heavy defeat 43 – 7. Driffield won the return 10 – 3. Just like this this season it was the final game. Since the 98/99 season we have met on 20 occasions, with Driffield leading the results with 12 wins to Morpeth’s 8. They have returned home with a win on 3 occasions.
Last 3 Results
- Driffield : won 32-19 at Alnwick, beat Durham City 39-13 and drew at Penrith 24 each
- Morpeth : lost 17-20 to Malton, won at YMCA 18-13 and lost to West Hartlepool 15-17
The only other action is the 3rd XV, who Merit League Final against Pocklington 2nds at Bridlington RUFC, KO is 3.30. Good luck to the mighty 3rds.
Team Selection : Driffield 1st XV Vs Morpeth RUFC Sat 22 April 2017 KO 3PM
- Pettinger
- Brumfield
- Dervey (C)
- Cooper
- Turner
- Mewburn G
- Brankley
- Burns
- Gray
- Furbank
- McClarron
- Dench
- Soanes
- Dinsdale
- Blacker
Subs : Sowersby, Blenkinsop, Ramsden
Good luck to all and have a great day.
JK