The Woldsmen travel to Dinnington in Saturday’s North One East Match. KO 3pm.
Driffield will be looking to improve on last weeks loss to local rivals Malton & Norton. A pretty dull game, where both sides’ defence came out on top, with the exception of the two push-over tries. Driffield could have nicked it in the last 10 after Brigham’s second kick brought us within 6 points. However, apart from one attempted break, we didn’t come close to the winning try.
This week’s match against Dinnington will be hard fought if the last couple of years’ encounters are anything to go by.
We have played each other in this league since 2014/15 Season, following their promotion from Yorkshire 1. That season the away team won both games, Dinington winning 37 – 3 at Kelleythorpe early on and then Driffield winning 23 – 21 at Dinnington. They went on to finish in 4th place in the league.
Last season home advantage won both games; we lost 25 – 12 at Dinnington and won 27 – 26 at Kelleythorpe. They finished 6th in league, 7 points ahead of us.
They currently sit 12th in the league on 8 points, W1, L4. 2 Try BP & 2 Losing BP.
Dinnington have not won since their first outing at Wheatley Hills, winning a close match 19 – 14. Since then they have had close losses to YMCA & Malton, both at Dinnington and heavier defeats away at Penrith and last at Durham City. They can obviously score points as they have scored over 20 in their last 4 games, which means they must have decent attack.
As I said a few weeks ago, the league looks as though it is going to be close all season. West are the only team unbeaten, having scored maximum points in all their games so far. Followed by Penrith, who lost at Alnwick, who sit in third, last week. Pock sit 4th on 17 points. 5th down to 12th is covered by only 7 points. Guisborough & Hills prop up the table, Hills have 1 losing BP and are yet to win, whilst Guis have 4 points following their win over Morpeth a few weeks back.
I think I mentioned this a few weeks ago too, however, home advantage is setting the tone now 5 weeks have past since the season openers; 35 matches have been played, only 5 have been won by the away team.
Driffield will hoping to get back to winning ways. The team has one change from last week’s loss, with Stephenson returning in the centres for Robinson.
Hopefully we will take a good following of supporters with us, and help cheer the lads on to our 1st away win.
Good luck to all.
JK