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22 Unanswered Points in the 2nd half is Enough to Sting the Bees
Published: 02/03/2010
Driffield travelled to Bradford & Bingley expecting a tougher game than the reverse fixture when Driffield ran out 48-0 winners at the beginning of the season. Driffield made several changes with First team commitments on the slopes depleting the ranks. Baldock, Booth, Plumbridge, Rafter, Culpin, Nicolson and Norman all coming into the squad.
Driffield decided to have their worse 40 minutes of the season and found themselves 19 nil down after 20 minutes, with poor ball retention, very average tackling and bad discipline all making Bradford’s job a lot easier. Bradford had a very good 6,7,8,9,10,12 combination and they were controlling the game with ease and the ex Northampton centre scored 1 and made the other 2 tries.
Culpin and Norman were making a nuisance of themselves at the breakdown and Fraser, Chapman & Bradshaw were creating havoc with ball in hand but unfortunately there was not enough old school graft and Bradford were turning the ball over at will due to the lack of Driffield numbers at the breakdown.
Driffield’s scrum and lineout were fantastic throughout and with Cooper leading by example as pack-leader and Lazenby tackling everything that moved Driffield slowly came back into the game but poor concentration allowed Bradford to turn a scrum over when Driffield had the put in 5 meters out from the Bradford line. Half time 19-0
Driffield’s assistant coach Lunn read the riot act at half time, (Thompson skiing at the time would of been proud of his assistant) and it seemed to do the trick. Driffield started the half brightly with Murray turning over the kick off, the ball was moved right to left and after great hands from Lucas, Booth and Baldock Bradshaw crashed over, Lucas kicked the conversion and Driffield were back in it.
From the restart Driffield quickly moved the ball down field and Bradford were penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown, Lucas kicked the penalty and Driffield were suddenly playing some good attacking rugby and Lunn’s inspirational words were still ringing in the forewords ears. Bradford 19 Driffield 10.
Nicholson came on for Culpin who had played well in his first start for the 2nd’s, Driffield had the bit between the teeth by now and strong surges from Travis and Booth took play into Bradford’s half. From a series of pick and go’s Driffield’s pack committed the Bradford defence and Chapman surged over to score his 4 try in 3 games, the conversion was missed but Driffield were now within four points. 19-15 Bradford.
Lunn then brought on Anderson & Rafter for Baldock and Hardy. This decision proofed decisive as from a ruck on the half way line Shepherdson fed Bradshaw who dummied past the first defender and broke through two tackles to take the ball towards the Bradford line and with the full back to beat he drew his man and Anderson was there to run in under the posts for a great score, Lucas converted and Driffield were now 22-19 up with 8 minutes to go.
Bradford had a penalty chance to draw level but the kick went wide and with Travis tackling his heart out and controlling the defence Bradford were kept at bay.
This was definitely a game of two halves with the 2nds showing what they were capable of in the 2nd half, the guys must realise that rugby is a simple game and if you don’t do the basic’s you will never earn the right for victory.
The Driffield pack was like a kindergarten in the first half, back chatting to the ref and moaning at each other but to their credit they turned it round in the 2nd half and put in a cracking performance.
Cooper, Norman, Bradshaw and Holland all had strong games and due to the state of the pitch the backs had very little ball to run with but Lazenby was man of the match for his all round effort and determination in the tackle.
