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Hartlepool Rovers 16 - Driffield 16
Published: 08/03/2010
Driffield made some changes from last week, with Stephenson, O. Cooper coming into the side and Thompson on the bench., joined by Ridsdale and C. Chapman. Bone retained his place in the centre and Short on the wing.
The weather was cold and dank, and although rain was forecast, it fortunately did not arrive. The pitch looked heavy, but this did not stop the game from being very exciting with Driffield looking to have the more penetrative backs. Rovers seemed to rely on their big pack to gain field position and their backs never looked as though they had the guile to make breaks. Perhaps their kicking game was superior to Driffield, for Driffield at times seemed to just kick the ball up field and hope for the best.
There was plenty of counter attack in this game, with Driffield’s backs showing fleet of foot. A number of times McClarron and Birch launched fine running movements which swept down the field, but generally a final mistake or good tackle prevented a score.
The first 10 mins were all Driffield, with attack after attack being repulsed by Rovers. They, however, soon showed their game plan and launched thrusts into the right hand corner. Driffield defended well, and at times were a trifle lucky to escape a Rovers’ score. But resolution in their attitude and some good scrambling kept their line in tact.
On 22 mins the deadlock was broken when Birch kicked a straight forward penalty and 4 mins later scrum half Grey made a tremendous break down the left hand touchline, but was hauled down just short. A penalty was awarded, but advantage was played and Havler picked up well to score a try which was not converted. Rovers 0 – Driffield 8.
The game was end to end, with first one side defending stoutly and then the opposition, but you always felt that Driffield had the advantage with their backs, if they could supply them with enough ball. The other constant during the game was the number of mistakes made by both sides. Rovers got on the score board with a penalty under the sticks for offside, which also resulted in 10 mins in the sin bin for openside Stephenson. This was on 36 mins and kicked by fullback Masshedar.
Just after Birch kicked a penalty, but as half time was due, Rovers struck for a decisive try. Right wing King kicked ahead and the ball popped up into his arms leaving the Driffield defence stranded. He touched down in the corner at full pelt, but the conversion was missed.
Halftime score Rovers 8 – Driffield 11.
With Stephenson still off, the game fluctuated from end to end. One particular move by Driffield nearly and should have ended with a try. At a lineout Borman moved quickly up to the front, received the ball from thrower in Havler, and gave him the return pass. He made a valiant effort to reach the corner but just failed, and Rovers cleared yet again. Back up on the Driffield line, Rovers drove a couple of times at the heart of the defence, pulling in would be tacklers, and then creating an overlap on the right for Masshedar to score but to fail with the kick. 13 – 11.
It was now getting very nervy, with both sides creating chances and then making mistakes. One of these resulted in a penalty for Masshedar to convert on 20 mins. 16 – 11.
It was now all out attack for Driffield. Chapman came on for Cooper and Ridsdale for Dervey. Birch made a glorious break and was stopped short. Slow ball only came Driffield’s way and Grey decided to go blindside and passed to McGregor. With great determination he made the line, but right out near the corner flag and too far out for a conversion. Rovers 16 – Driffield 16.
The game was now poised for a final assault by either side for the win. Driffield took the initiative and started to scrummage very well in the tight. They established territorial advantage and hammered away for the winning score. They came very close on a number of occasions and the Driffield followers who had made the long journey after the dinner on Friday night, felt they would succeed. But, no, it was not to be, and the game ended in a draw. Certainly in those last vital minutes the referee seemed to favour the home side, but perhaps that is callous, and a draw was the correct result, for this full blooded encounter, where both sides gave their all.
Grey and Bone were outstanding for Driffield, particularly Bone with his organisational abilities. He also thrusted well in the centre and on the day was well worth his place. Birch from fullback made some wonderful slicing runs and deserved to score on a number of occasions. McClarron and Short were also full of running.
In the pack, one had to admire the wholehearted efforts by all, and as the game wore on, they were out scrummaging the big Rovers’ forwards. Hamilton did well in the lineout, and none of the ten forwards who played can feel ashamed at the final result.
Next week the improving Ilkley come to Kelleythorpe, and we all look forward to the continuance of the fighting spirit shown at Hartlepool.
Ian Douglas
