The 1st team head to Cumbria this Saturday, to compete with 4th in North One East, Penrith. PLEASE NOTE KO IS 2PM
Driffield make the trip looking for their 4th league win in a row, following victories against Malton & Norton (h), Percy Park (a) & last week at home against Morpeth.
Last week’s game lived up to the pre-match hype. Driffield made a great start, going 10-0 up early doors. Morpeth fought their way back into the game, and at half-time Driffield led 10-5. Driffield again started the 2nd half strong, adding two more scores before Morpeth hit back. Another score each left the final score at Driffield 27-18 Morpeth. A great result for the Woldsmen – Morpeth are a decent outfit this season, and to win with a bonus point and send them home with no points is excellent. Morpeth stay top of the league, 1 point ahead of West Leeds and ourselves. Penrith sit in 4th, a further 2 behind.
Penrith who finished 2nd in the league last season, and just missed out on promotion after losing to Birkenhead Park in the playoff (29-21), had been enjoying a great season. They were the early pace-setters – in fact they went unbeaten for the first 6 weeks, until they lost in heavy fashion at Malton in late October (50-24). Since then they have won 2 & lost 3. Their last 3 outings have seen defeat at West Leeds (37-5), a win at home against Bradford (43-5) and last week they lost whilst visiting our neighbours Bridlington (32-24). It is worth noting they are unbeaten at home and average around 35 points per game.
Last year we drew in the same fixture, 24 a piece, they took the win at Kelleythorpe in dramatic fashion, a last minute penalty handing them the points. A look through the records show to this point we have met 6 occasions : last year as just mentioned ; 2008/09 season in North 2 East, Penrith winning both games, 11-6 in Cumbria and 55-17 at Kelleythorpe. We first met in the 2005/06 North 2 East season, again Penrith won both fixtures. 27-17 in Penrith and 17-12 at Driffield. Not good reading for us Driffield supporters with last season’s draw are only positive result. I’m sure Driffield will be looking to change this record tomorrow.
A couple of changes in the squad this week following injuries and unavailability. Furbank and Cooper are unavailable, whilst Mewburn has a slight niggle. In come Burns, Borman and Murray.
This week marks the half-way point of the season. It is clear that the league is going to be a tight one. A positive result in Cumbria could just make a massive difference for the rest of the season.
Driffield V Penrith 09/12/17 Team.
1 Blenkinsop, 2 Ramsden, 3 Zavatti
4 Douglas, 5 Borman
6 Cullen, 7 Mewburn, 8 Burns
9 Gray, 10 Murray
12 Piercy, 13 Stephenson
11 Dinsdale, 14 Lawrence, 15 Dearing
16 Robinson, 17 Dervey, 18 Walgate.
2nds have no game, so action at Kellythorpe is limited to the 3rd XV as they entertain Hornsea 1stXV. Be sure to get down to watch for a brilliant game.
4th Team head to Withernsea. Both are 2.15KO.
Good luck to all.