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Final Score Flatters Gateshead
Published: 22/02/2010
Easy victory for Driffield
Final score flattered Gateshead
Driffield made a few changes from last week’s starting line up. Short was on the right wing. Waterhouse started in front of replacement Maggs at prop. Harding and C Bradshaw were also on the bench
Gateshead had a big pack who obtained plenty of ball, both from the lineout and in the loose. In fact Driffield did not get out of their own half for the first 10 mins. as Gateshead dominated possession and probed the Driffield line. Good defence, however, kept them out, and only on their second visit to Gateshead half, Driffield scored. McGregor gave a good pass to McClarron, who had plenty to do, but feinted infield and then went for the corner to score a fine try, which we are always seeing from this wingman. The conversion by Birch failed. Driff 5 – Gate 0.
At last Driff were obtaining some ball, and good breaks by Grey followed by McClarron threatened the Gateshead line. Unfortunately the final pass went either astray or went forward. On 20 mins though Birch kicked a penalty for hanging on in the tackle and just before half time repeated the dose. D 11 – G 0.
Gateshead were still getting more than their share of the ball, and contrived to win one against the head in the scrum (an unusual occurrence) and also some Driffield ball in the lineout. Their backs, however, were very pedestrian and ran across the field, dropped the ball or threw forward passes. This allied to a tight Driffield defence meant that their forward’s efforts came to nought. One felt sorry for Gateshead’s stalwart pack, who fought all the game to no avail, giving their backs plenty of possession but continually having to start again, after mistakes by the threequarters.
McClarron saved Driff once just before half time, when he intercepted a pass and made ground with two Gateshead men on his back, which relieved a difficult situation, the score staying at Driff 11 – Gateshaed 0 at the whistle.
Soon after the re-start, McGregor made a diagonal run towards the right corner, and squeezed in at the corner post, too far out for Birch to convert. D 16 – G 0
Maggs came on for Waterhouse, and an interesting change took place for Gateshead at prop also. Father C Burns came on to join his son W Burns in the front row as Thandi was replaced. Soon Wright was at it, with one of his signature side stepping runs, and he scored under the posts for Birch to convert. D 23 – G 0.
On 25 mins O.Cooper won a lineout near the Gateshead line and plunged over to score but the kick was missed. D 28 – G 0.
With that score Cooper departed to be replaced by the substantially broad figure of C.Bradshaw, built in the familiar family frame! Harding also came on at full back for Birch. On 35 mins, Captain Gray poached a loose ball and gave a scoring pass to Sam Beachell. Nobody stops him from short distance, and quite a few don’t relish tackling him when he is on the rampage. McGregor took over the kicking and converted this try. D 35 – G 0.
Many more chances went begging for Driffield, and that is why I state that the score flattered Gateshead. At least three tries could and should have been scored in the second half, but careless handling at the vital time precluded more points. Gateshead tried to open out play in the second half, but, their lack of cutting edge in the backs was very obvious. Their pack is a useful outfit, but the spectre of relegation hangs over them, and it is difficult to see how they are going to survive in this league.
Driffield’s pack were not quite the force they were against Durham City, but as the game went on they managed to increase the amount of ball they procured for the backs. Beachell was again outstanding with his bull like rushes, and again Stephenson showed up well about the field. The return of Oliver Borman has made a great difference and as he rebuilds his fitness will present further problems for the opposition.
The backs were not as free flowing as we expect, but Gateshead scored no points, which says something for Driffield’s defence and a lot about the opposition’s lack of thrust and artistry. Grey continues to be a thorn in the opposition’s side with his penetrative running from the base, but over a longer distance he needs support for the offload. McClarron was seen more in defence today and together with Short was alert to any danger. Wright as usual tackled with venom and McGregor also did his share.
Next week it is Billingham, and I believe Driffield will have some men away. The anti will have to be upped yet again, if a good result is to be obtained against the North Easterners. If Ilkley can do it, so can Driffield.
Ian Douglas
