Driffield welcome Bradford & Bingley to Kelleythorpe for our North One East fixture.  Our 2nd XV head to York to face their seconds, out 3rds travel to Beverley and our 4th XV host Grimsby.

A warm welcome to Bradford & Bingley RUFC as they travel from West Yorkshire.  Hopefully, storm Dennis won’t show his gnashers too soon.

Bradford arrive sitting 8th in the league with 48 points on the board – they have won 10 and lost 8 so far.  They have won 3 times on the road : at YMCA, West Hartlepool and Scarborough – the Scarborough result was on 14 December, when Bees won 21 – 47 : a good result.  They started the season in top gear, winning their first 4 games until they lost 21 -39 at home to York in round 5.  Since Christmas, they have won 3 and lost 2 : 3 home games, 2 away.  When we met early in the season we came away with the points in a tight game, winning 17 – 24.  We then met again in the Yorkshire Shield Cup just before Christmas, which Bradford won.  Last week Bees beat Durham City 20 – 17.

Driffield need to re-group following last weekend disappointing loss at local rivals Malton.  Malton deserved their victory and, although we took the lead, once Malton got going we didn’t really get a look-in.  It has been a while since we came away with ‘null point’.  Hopefully it will be a while again.

A few changes in our squad for Saturday’s game.  Rowbottom starts at prop and Robson moves to hooker, with Brumfield having a rest on the bench.  Maling completes the front row.  Oli Cooper returns to lock alongside Cullen.  The back row remains unchanged with Turner, Jenkinson and Brankley.  Sowersby starts at 9, Watts at 10, with Longville starting at full back.  Blacker rejoins the group on the wing.  On the bench, Brumfield is joined by Borman and a very welcome sight as Club Captain Rob Mewburn makes his first appearance following his injury early in the season.

Our ladies have their cup quarter final on Sunday at Kelleythorpe when they welcome Mellish Ladies for a 2pm KO, with a place in the National Junior Cup Semi-Final the prize.  Please get down and show some support to these ladies.

Driffield RUFC v Bradford & Bingley RUFC, Saturday 15th Feb, KO 2.15PM

1 – Rowbottom, 2 – Robson, 3 – Maling

4 – Cullen, 5 – Cooper

6 – Turner, 7 – Jenkinson, 8 – Brankley

9 – Sowersby, 10 – Watts

12 – Dench, 13 – Dinsdale, B

11 – Blacker, 14 – Stephenson, 15 – Longville

16 – Mewburn, 17 – Brumfield, 18 – Borman.

 

Good Luck to All.