A big day today at Kelleythorpe, as we welcome Hull RUFC in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup 2018.

Hull, like us, are in a big fight to finish second in their league, North Premier. They currently sit second, 9 points ahead of 3rd placed Harrogate – Harrogate have a 1 game in hand.  If they win their remaining games they will head into a play-off : at the moment that would be against Peterborough Lions, they are both currently on the same league points so location will be decided come the end of the season.

Hull played a league game this Saturday travelling to Wirral, and coming back with 5 points after a 10 – 31 win.

Looking through the records, I couldn’t find any competitive games between Driffield and (from 98/99 season). So this is looking like the 1st one.

The Yorkshire Cup used to be one of the major trophies in the region, but following the move to professional rugby and the expansion of the leagues, it sometimes feels as though it has lost that importance.  Not at Driffield – we are very proud to be competing in the competition

This was proved this season, with our 1st round match at Huddersfield RUFC cancelled as they could not field a team.  They had a 1st team league on the same day, and decided not to field a 2nd string. Ionians had the same problem, but they did send a 2nd team to Malton, but that proved a step too far and they lost by 40 points.

We then hosted Malton in the next round winning 22 – 18.

Hull beat Huddersfield YMCA 78 – 5 in the 1st round, then moved straight through to the semi following Bridlington’s refusal to play.

So here we are.  This is around the 4th attempt to play this game, with the weather causing issues.  Free weekends have been hard to find, and with Hull looking like getting into the play-offs, this would mean the game being pushed back until after that date, or playing one evening.

Driffield will be looking to claim an upset, with the Hull side starting as strong favourites. Our form of late has been excellent, 4 wins on the bounce after our defeat at Penrith back in Feb, means we are still in the hunt for the top 2.  Alnwick look like they have it in their own hands.  Our next two games are massive : Morpeth (a) next weekend, followed by Penrith (h) the week after. If we win those two we will have it in our own hands for our final game at Bradford.

It will be interesting to see what the squads are like today.  I’m sure both teams might be missing a few with it being a Bank Holiday. Hull have a couple of familiar faces in the squad, with Lee Birch and Harding both starting most games for them this season.

I’m sure a big crowd will be present as the teams battle for a spot in the final, against either Doncaster Phoenix or Harrogate.

Driff 1st XV Squad

Blenkinsop, Brumfield, Dervey

Cooper, Borman

Mewburn G, Cullen, Dinsdale

Watts, Murray

Dench, Stephenson

Soanes, Dinsdale, Piercy

Bench

Sowersby, Dearing, Kelly, Syson, Robson, Ramsden, Beachell

Good Luck To All.