Driffield make to short trip to Scarborough this Saturday looking for maximum points. That won’t be easy, as Scarborough currently sit joint top with York following 6 wins from their first 8 games. They lost at Brid in week 2, 22 – 18, and at Huddersfield in week 4, 29 -26. The 6 wins have been against B & B (a) 33 -53, Cleck (h) 26 – 19, Morpeth (h) 22 – 17, W Leeds (a) 27 – 45, York (h) 50 – 43 and last week they won at Pocklington 29 – 36.
Scarborough joined the league after finishing runner up to York in Y1 last season. which meant they would play Durham City at Durham for a place in North One East. However, Durham were unable to complete the fixture and so Scarborough were promoted – this followed 12 years in Yorkshire One.
It has been a few years since we have met with league points at stake – that was on 20th April 2013 in Yorkshire One. Scarborough took the points in the first game at their place winning 21 -20, and Driffield won the return fixture 80 – 0 on the final day. Driffield finished that season top of the pile and were promoted to North One East.
I would think most folk in the league would have Scarborough as the surprise of the season so far.
Driffield look to get to back to winning ways after last week’s loss to Bradford & Bingley. I would imagine Bees are a very different team to the one Scarborough played in week 1. I believe they are looking to get promoted and the squad looked one of the best we have faced this season. I would imagine Bees getting a bit of a roll on and being at the top end come the end of the season. Its always hard when the team lose by 5 points. However, I believe the effort shown will come through, and hopefully we can start pushing up the league too.
A couple of changes in the squad : Furbank and Robinson return, both coming back as wingers, Furbank for Lawrence (injured), Robinson for Dinsdale, Dinsdale to centre replacing Stephenson (injured). Parkinson misses out. Gray and Watts Continue at 9 & 10
Blenkinsop starts at prop, pushing Zavatti to the bench. Dervey continues as skipper. Cullen comes in for Brankley (injured) in the back row. Lester Bell and Warkup make up the replacements.
League News: Again we had some high-scoring but tight games last weekend.
- Bridlington welcomed Morpeth to Dukes Park, but Morpeth took the points 20 -17.
- Morley continued in their fine form, beating Percy Park 52 – 29, Percy Park don’t seem to enjoy travelling this season.
- Scarborough continued their fine start to the season winning at Pocklington 36 – 29.
- YMCA took the win in a W Yorks derby at West Leeds, winning 39 – 21.
- And finally York despatched Cleckheaton 38 – 22 at Cliffton Park.
- Consett v Malton was an early season casualty to the weather. Consett’s location could end up becoming a real talking point : we make the trip on 12th January – fingers crossed for good weather.
Good luck to all.
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