Terrible conditions greeted Driffield as they made the short trip to Percy Road to take on Pocklington in the second local derby of the season. The Woldsmen fielded largely the same side with Beachell rotating with Turner in the back row and Clappison replacing Blenkinsop at prop. The back line was unchanged with Dinsdale and Robinson still unavailable. Contrasting fortunes had met the sides in the opening weekend with Pocklington edging Bridlington by one point, and Driffield falling just short by the same margin against York.
Driffield kicked off and after even play in midfield gained a line-out which they won comfortably, before losing possession in midfield and conceding a scrum. With no sign of what was to come, Driffield held their own and forced Pocklington to go through the phases, before they made a half break straight through Driffield’s ruck defence. An offload found support and Driffield conceded a penalty for pulling back, ably converted for a 3-0 lead. Driffield 0 – 3 Pocklington
Driffield restarted, but were immediately on the back foot again after a scything break by the Pocklington fly half. The ball was recycled and driven over for the first try of the afternoon, once again converted. Driffield had struggled for possession and on the few occasions they had the ball, their accuracy let them down. Driffield 0 – 10 Pocklington
That changed with a repeat of last week’s try, Mewburn on the end this time rather than Stephenson. Beachell carried hard into the Pock defence, keeping his legs pumping to get some momentum. Brankley carried on the movement and the ball was recycled, before Brankley popped up again and offloaded out of the tackle to George Mewburn to touch down under the posts for a try converted by Watts. Watts added a penalty shortly after to tie the score. Driffield 10 – 10 Pocklington
The game was evenly-poised at this point. Furbank was using his boot and the conditions intelligently to turn Pocklington around. Driffield’s line-out was solid, which given the conditions was impressive. Pocklington however, were on top in the scrum and this was giving them the opportunity to seize field position and exert pressure. A scrum penalty lead to a line-out on the Driffield line and the ensuing catch and drive lead to a second Pocklington try, converted from the touch line. Driffield 10 – 17 Pocklington
Pocklington added to their score just before half-time, this time pushing the Driffield eight backwards and touching down next to the posts. To compound matters, Driffield lost captain Mewburn to the bin just before half-time. Driffield 10- 24 Pocklington
Driffield had the chance to hit back almost immediately in the second half when a penalty of their own found touch close to the home sides line, but the line-out was lost and the chance gone. They were made to pay when Pocklington added the bonus point try. This time, Driffield defended the scrum well, but constant pressure told and a snipe around the edge of the ruck yielded an unconverted try. Another scrum close to the Driffield line saw the hosts add a further try : this time a penalty try reward for scrum dominance stretching the score line. Driffield 10 – 36 Pocklington
Driffield gave a glimpse of what they can do with the final two tries of the game. Firstly, Driffield worked Piercy into space out wide and his inside pass found Stephenson who finished well. Watts converted. The final try, by Zavatti, came on the stroke of full time. Driffield again trying to put pace into the game, with captain Mewburn always on hand to act as the link, and Brankley, Piercy and Lawrence all running freely. Watts converted to take the final score to Driffield 24 – 36 Pocklington.
Driffield face a third local derby of the season when they welcome Bridlington to Kelleythorpe next weekend looking to get their season underway.