This Saturday we welcome Penrith RUFC for our North One East Fixture.
This will be one of the most important games Driffield have played in a few years. The winner will most likely secure a play-off spot at the least, and maybe a shot at the title depending on Alnwick’s result. A Driffield loss would mean Alnwick would need just the 1 point, and our promotion hopes will be over.
In our 1st meeting at Penrith (10th Feb), the travelling Driffield supporters were treated to an amazing game of rugby. Both match reports claimed either side could have won, and agreed it was one of the best games of rugby witnessed in a long time. The down-side being that Penrith just sneaked it winning 29 – 24. To view the match report click here: https://driffieldrufc.com/2018/02/12/morpeth-29-24-driffield-saturday-10-february/
Penrith have had a mostly positive season, currently sitting 2nd in the league. They have the same playing record as us, P24, W18, L6. I would imagine they would have had eyes on the top spot at the start of the season, after last year’s 2nd place finish. They lost to Birkenhead Park in last season’s play-off. This year they have been solid at home, going into the last 2 weeks unbeaten. Their 6 losses have all come away from home. Interestingly, they lost at both Malton and Bridlington : Malton scoring 50 points, Brid 32. They have also lost at Morpeth, Alnwick, West Leeds and & Bingley.
Our form has been very good lately. Last week’s win at Morpeth was a true test, the 3 points arriving within the first 15 minutes, and from then it was a match between the two 2 22s. Morpeth had 1 shot at the posts that fell short. Leaving us with 4 points. Full Match report here: https://driffieldrufc.com/2018/04/09/morpeth-0-3-driffield-saturday-7-april/
That game has left us in great form. Confidence is high and the boys are looking forward to this week’s test. Another cup final, nearly. As I mentioned in the previous match preview, our only positive result against this weekend’s visitors was at Penrith last season in a 24-all draw. Hopefully that will change this Saturday.
Penrith’s last 3 results: beat Bridlington @ home 45-20, beat Morpeth @ Home 34-14 and lost @ Bradford 32-24.
Driffield’s last 3 results: beat Morpeth 0- 3 away, beat Percy Park 31 – 22 at Kelleythorpe and beat YMCA 26 – 6 at Kelleythorpe.
A quick look at the league shows there are still lots of teams fighting for something. The bottom 6 teams are still not safe. Northern host YMCA this Saturday, with the loser most likely down.
A glance at the North West league shows Northwich sitting second on 75 points, which I think means it will be a home playoff for whoever finish’s second in our league.
Driffield 1st XV vs Penrith 1st XV, Saturday 14/04/2018 3pm KO
1 – Blenkinsop, 2 – Brumfield, 3 – Dervey
4 – Borman, 5 – Cooper
6 – Mewburn G, 7 – Mewburn R (C), 8 – Burns
9 – Gray, 10 – Furbank
12 – Dinsdale B, 13 – Stephenson
11 – Robinson, 14 – Lawrence, 15 – Watts
16 – Murray, 17 – Dinsdale J, 18 – Zavatti
2nd team travel to York, chasing 1st place in their league, with this weeks game and next week away at Cleckheaton their remaining games.
3rd Team head to Hornsea while 4ths host Withernsea.
We will be hosting a bit of do after the game in the club, to celebrate our last (official) home game. everyone welcome.
Good luck to everyone.