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Driffield 21 - Old Crossleyans 13
Published: 30/03/2010
`This was Jordan McGregor’s last game for Driffield, and he played his part in the team effort that resulted in a hard fought victory for Driffield. A.McClarron was injured and out for the season, his place on the wing taken by Harding. Bone was in the centre with Thomson on the bench. Chris Bradshaw started the game in the second row with Oliver Cooper on the bench. Dervey completed the bench with props Waterhouse and Maggs starting the game.
It was fine afternoon for rugby, with end to end strong wind. Driffield won the toss and elected to play against the wind first half.
The game plan was to use the forwards to gain ground by driving at the opposition, and when in the opposition half release the backs. Harding had a good run early in the game, and at the ruck near the Crossleyans line, Driffield were awarded a penalty and No 14 Wainwright received a yellow card. Driffield unfortunately missed the kick, but on 7 mins, a sweeping move by Driffield resulted in a score. McGregor missed his centres with a pass to Birch who scored too well out for a conversion.
D 5 – OC 0.
Considering the wind Driffield were doing plenty of attacking and both sets of forwards were putting in heavy hits, however Crossleyans were able to kick for territory and on 12 mins an offside decision resulted in 3 points to the visitors. D 5 – OC 3.
The game was very even, with vigorous play by both sides, resulting in a very good game to watch. McGregor kicked a penalty for Driffield on 27 mins, but Off Half Jones replied on 30 mins for the visitors... D 8 – OC 6
Driffield’s forwards were taking the game to Crossleyans with some strong charges, featuring prominently in these, were Bradshaw, Borman and Havler. As usual Captain and scrum half Gray was at the heart of things, encouraging his forwards, probing if he saw an opening and sending out a stream of good passes to his backs.
Just before half time Crossleyans set up a series of attacks and after a third phase centre McGill went over for Jones to convert. This was no more than the visitors deserved, for they had been attacking with the wind, and only frantic Driffield tackling had kept the score down. Half time score D 8 – OC 13.
Considering the conditions, this was a very good half for Driffield. They had tackled like demons and could look forward to having the wind in their favour for the second forty mins.
Soon into the half Crossleyans lost no 4 Cooper to the sin bin, and were lucky not to have another man on a yellow card, when Grey was felled with a very high tackle. From the ensuing penalty on 6 mins McGregor scored to narrow the gap to D 11 – OC 13.
Driffield were using the wind and played a period in the Crossleyan 22. McGregor missed a penalty, but from a series of attacks and drives from the forwards Oliver Cooper scored from close range. He had replaced Bradshaw on 18 mins. The conversion was missed. During one of these attacks Wright was injured and replaced by Thomson. Wright had not had much space to play in as the opposition were quick up in defence, but he was able on occasion to twist out of tackles and make ground. D 16 – OC 13.
Birch and Bone were a constant threat with the ball, but the one noticeable aspect of the game was the tackling. Both sides were asking for no quarter and it was a full bloodied affair. At times Crossleyans, through dint of hard work, got into the Driffield half only to be sent back by huge clearances, particularly by McGregor. From one of these clearances and further pressure Birch was able to squeeze in at the right corner but the kick was again missed. D 21 – OC 13.
The visitors were going all out to save the game, and made valiant efforts to penetrate the Driffield defence. But it was not to be, and one always thought that Driffield might score before the final whistle. What did happen just on time was a fracas in midfield. At least 20 players were eventually involved, and many a blow was aimed but not always landed. This seemed to go on for some time and the referee was not able to intervene. Perhaps he was worried that he might catch an errant fist! Sheer exhaustion probably stopped this unseemly melee. However, it seemed harsh justice when no 16 Palmer was issued with a red card and the referee blew for full time. Surly when the game was due to end, it would have been better to just send everyone to the showers and have a beer. So the game ended on a sour note, which was a pity as it had been played with great vigour by both sides.
For Driffield all gave a good performance, tackling wholeheartedly, and without thought to the consequences to their bodies. McGregor had a very sound game, grubber kicking against the wind and giving the ball plenty of air with the wind. He will be missed in the remaining two league games, particularly as Wright and McClarron are unavailable. In the forwards no one did more by example that Borman, he led from the front and was ably assisted by the rest of the pack. Gray drove them and did not stint himself. Crossleyans had a good player in fly half Jones, who was at the heart of most of their attacks and his gravelly encouragement was an inspiration to his side. A good Driffield team performance.
Ian Douglas
