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Driffield 53 - Ilkley 9
Published: 15/03/2010
Bone was unfortunately unavailable for Driffield, consequently, Thomson played in the centre, and Harding replaced Short on the right wing. The only other changes were on the bench where C Bradshaw, Maggs and Murray were selected.
It was a cold day with a breeze downfield, which Ilkley elected to play with first half. This as the game went into the second half proved to be decisive for Driffield, for Ilkley tired and the home team ran in many points. Perhaps they should have run in more, for Driffield made mistakes and could have made the score into the seventies.
After only 5 mins Driffield scored a long range try. There was a turnover in defence, McClarron intervened and McGregor made a long break from his 22. Eventually he passed to Birch who went in close to the posts and converted. D 7 – I 0.
On 11 and 15 mins, Ilkley replied with two penalties by fullback P. Shanks, but very soon Birch had extended the lead with a penalty. Shanks came back with another penalty for hands in the ruck. D 10 – I 9.
Driffield then started to put some attacks together. On 29 mins, Driffield took a ball against the head in the scrum and some good interpassing between the forwards moved the ball up field. Wright then took a hand in the proceedings and made a fine break to score himself, but the conversion was missed. D 15 – I 9.
Just before the interval, McClarron made a long break down the left hand touchline, but failed to score. However, a penalty ensued and Birch converted the kick. This also resulted in Ilkley prop Hutchinson being shown a yellow card. Whilst he was off, Ilkley missed a penalty and the score was Driffield 18 – Ilkley 9 at half time.
The 2nd half had only been alive 3 mins, when Captain Gray made a strong break in the Ilkley 22 and scored under the posts for Birch to convert. Ilkley had policed Gray pretty well up to this point, but he is so strong when he sees the line and needs a firm tackle in such positions. D 25 – I 9.
2 mins later, no 8 Harrison, showed a surprising turn of speed and broke well just in the Ilkley half. He made ground and passed to McGregor, who made the corner for Birch to convert well. D 32 – I 9.
On 12 mins, Driffield struck again. A long kick by Thomson was athletically collected by him, (reminiscent of Aussie Rules play); he passed to Harding, who transferred to Wright. We all know there is no stopping Wright in open play, and he touched down under the posts for Birch to convert again. D 39 – I 9.
Ilkley were looking pretty ragged by this time and their scrum was under pressure, although a similar size to Driffield. Driffield made 2 changes off the bench. The mighty C. Bradshaw for Harrison and Maggs for Waterhouse at prop. Soon afterwards Birch appeared to injure a leg, and Murray came onto the wing and Harding went to fullback. The decision seemed to be to replace McClarron initially, but quick witted Director of Rugby Patrick Burdass, changed his mind when he saw that Birch should come off.
Murray’s first touch was to score a try in the right corner after a slashing break by McGregor who also added the 2 points with a very good conversion. After 30 mins the score stood at D 46 – I 9.
There was time for one more score. Gray made a break and O. Cooper was on hand to crash over the line. McGregor converted. The final score was Driffield 53 – Ilkley 9.
The last act of the game was a flurry of fists, there had been an outbreak earlier. No doubt this was frustration by Ilkley, but Driffield were also involved. The outcome was a yellow card for Ilkley no 7 Cudworth, but it did not matter as the final whistle went immediately.
In the second half, Driffield were dominant with the wind, and apart from the odd Ilkley attack, pressed for points. It has to be said Driffield should have scored more, but mistakes crept into their game, sometimes through over elaboration, and sometimes through basic errors.
It was good to see Wright featuring prominently today, and McGregor kicked well with his rolling punts. At times large forwards got in the way of the Driffield threequarters – surely we have the pace in the backs for them to do the job themselves!! Hamilton did well in the lineout and the front row scrummaged well. Stephenson, as we expect, tackled with his usual enthusiasm.
Some difficult away games are due soon, and today’s game will seem very easy in comparison.
