The league run in begins, as our 1st XV travel north to face 4th place Morpeth RUFC.
The 1st of 3 massive games, both teams need a win to keep in the promotion hunt, and defeat would nearly put that dream to an end.
We currently sit 6 points ahead of Morpeth, so defeat would still leave us in in 3rd, but if Penrith get a win, we would be at least 5 behind. We host Penrith next weekend in a so-called 10 pointer.
Games against Morpeth are always tough events, especially, when we travel. Tomorrow will be no different, especially with Morpeth’s form this season. They have only suffered one defeat at home this season so far : that was to West Leeds losing 27 -20 in February. They beat Penrith 24 – 20 back in November, but lost when travelling across the Pennines 34 – 14 last time out (rearranged game).
When we hosted Morpeth back in December, we won 27 – 19 in a tight game. We eventually got into our stride in the second half to earn a bonus point victory. (match report here: https://driffieldrufc.com/2017/12/04/driffield-27-18-morpeth-saturday-2-december/).
Last season we met on the first and last day of the season. We headed north on the first weekend, losing 17 – 5, and Morpeth came south on the last, and we won 56 – 12. The season before it was the same dates and the same results with the home team taking the points on each occasion.
Morpeth’s last 3 results : lost at Penrith 34 – 14, won at Bridlington 12 – 20 and beat Bradford at Morpeth 31 – 0.
Driffield’s last 3 results: beat Percy Park at home 31 – 22, beat YMCA 26 – 6 at home, and won at Malton 18 – 10.
Driffield come into this game in great form with 4 league wins on the bounce, and will be full of confidence for Saturday’s trip.
Monday’s run-out will have been a good thing. Although the result didn’t go our way, it will have got rid of the Easter hangovers, and given the lads a look at the standard of the league above. Hull (currently 2nd in North Premier) came with near on a full squad. Unfortunately the seriously wet pitch probably played into their hands. Full match report here: https://driffieldrufc.com/2018/04/04/driffield-0-41-hull-monday-2-april/
As I mentioned at the top of the thread, this is the start of 3 massive games, Alnwick look to be a step beyond, but they still have to win their remaining games, and we will hope to keep the pressure on, along with the others chasing.
Unfortunately Alex Piercy was a major casualty form Mondays game, ending up in Hull Royal with a broken collar bone at the minimum. Other than that, we are at full strength.
Driffield 1st XV V Morpeth RUFC (a) Sat 07/04/18 3pm KO.
1 – Blenkinsop, 2 – Brumfield, 3 – Dervey
4 – Cooper, 5 – Borman
6 – Mewburn G, 7 Mewburn R (C), 8 – Burns
9 – Gray, 10 – Furbank
12 – Dench, 13 – Stephenson
11 – Dinsdale B, 14 – Lawrence, 15 – Watts
16 – Robinson, 17 – Zavatti, 18 – Dinsdale J.
I’m sure the lads would be grateful for any support, so if you can make it up to Morpeth, that would be great, club address here: https://www.morpethrfc.co.uk/contacts-maps
If not, there is plenty of action at Kelleythorpe, with 2nds, 3rds & 4ths all at home.
The seconds have a great match against Ilkley 2nds, 3rds host Goole 2nds & 4ths Host Pock 3rds. Plenty of action to choose from.
And if that’s not enough, our Ladies XV have a game away at Hornsea RUFC on Sunday, KO 2pm. Again any support would be great.
Good luck to everyone.