Driffield welcome Consett RUFC to Kelleythorpe for their fixture in North One East.
Consett make the journey south for their first visit to Kelleythorpe. Consett, like us, are still searching for their first win of the campaign. They currently sit in 12th place in the league on 3 points with 1 TB and 2 LB. They lost to Pocklington at home last time out 19 – 23, lost at York 44 – 18 and had a narrow loss when hosting West Leeds on the first weekend losing 36 -34. We don’t know much about our visitors having never played each other (as far as I am aware). I have heard they pushed Pocklington quite hard last week, and they might be a different story on home turf, time will tell.
Driffield look to bounce back from the last-minute defeat to local rivals Bridlington last week. It was a tough game – Driffield should have been out of sight come half time, but couldn’t quite find the last pass. Too many errors in the second half lead to Brid having the territory and pressure. Strong Driffield defence was eventually broken by an amazing run by Brid’s No10 to score under the posts. The conversion took the points. This following the defeat at Pock, and another 1 point loss to York on the 1st weekend means we currently sit bottom of the league.
Saturday’s game is a must win for both teams, the gap to the top is already 12 points.
Tomorrow also sees our annual Ladies Day take place. We welcome 160 Ladies into the club for our pre-match lunch : many thanks to all who have taken tables and supported this event once again. Gents, the small bar upstairs will be open, and we will also have the outside bar available if you don’t have the courage to head upstairs. Enjoy the day Ladies.
Driffield have Dervey back to fitness : he starts alongside Zavatti with Waterhouse taking his turn on the bench. Robson moves to starting at hooker as Parker returns to the 2nds. G Mewburn is having a rest with a sare shoulder, so Brankley replaces him in the back row, alongside Rob Mewburn and Charlie Beachell. Turner and Borman swap places with Turner starting in the 2nd row alongside Cooper.
In the backs, Ben Blacker makes his 1st start for a few seasons, coming onto the wing. Piercy moves to centre, and Jackson to full-back.
Our 2nd team welcome Doncaster Phoenix, which will be a good game. Driff 2nds had a hard-fought loss at Harrogate 2nds last weekend.
Driffield 1st XV v Consett 1st XV
1 – Dervey, 2 – Robson, 3 – Zavatti
4 – Cooper, 5 – Turner
6 – Beachell, 7 – R Mewburn (c), 8 Brankley
9 – Watts, 10 – Furbank
12 – Piercy, 13 – Stephenson
11 – Blacker, 14 – Dinsdale, 15 – Jackson.
16 – Gray, 17 – Waterhouse, 18 – Borman.
Good Luck to All.