1st XV welcome Heath RUFC, 2nds at home vs Heath RUFC, 3rds and 4ths join forces traveling to Goole. View the match programme here : Match Programme
A warm welcome to Heath RUFC as they travel to Kelleythorpe for our North One East fixture.
Like Old Brods last weekend, it has been a while since we have faced one another in league action – the last league game between us was back in 2012/13 season. Home advantage went out the window that season, with both away teams winning : Heath won 23-20 at Kelleythorpe, whilst we won 24-17 at Heath. That was in Yorkshire 1, the season we won the league and returned to North One East. Since then Heath have stayed in Yorkshire One.
Heath have had a strong start to this season, currently sitting 3rd in the league, 1 place and 1 point behind us. They have only lost the once, with one draw too. Their loss came at home to Malton and Norton back in September, and they came back to draw whilst hosting table-toppers Ilkley 31 all in October. They have won on the road at Scarborough 18-25, Durham City 17-19, Morpeth 6-13, Cleckheaton 14-19. Home wins over Pocklington 16-15, Consett 36-3 and last weekend they beat Moortown 21-20. Most of their games have been tight results, their P/D is only 51.
We will look to cement our position in the top two following last weekend’s big win against Old Brods. It was a tight game, Brods could have nicked it, but our defence held strong and i believe the correct result was achieved. The lads and staff will be happy the performance but still lots of room for improvement. I know they have been working hard at training to get that extra couple of % that makes the difference. The result moved us back up to 2nd in the league, 3 points behind Ilkley. A win this weekend could see us move 4 ahead of Heath.
A few changes in the squad once again, as we continue to battle injuries and unavailability. In the backs, Johnson and Rob Rix return to replace Soanes and Kelly, Will Davies starts on the wing in the place of Blacker. Up front, Blenkinsop and start at prop, which allows Ramsden to start at hooker. Robson moves to the bench. No change in the second row, and Forbes, Turner and Brankley make up the back row.
Looking forward to an entertaining game once again : the pre-match lunch is sold out, and the internationals are on the screens.
Driffield RUFC 1ST XV v Heath RUFC 1st XV, Saturday 20/11/2021, KO 2:15.
- Blenkinsop
- Ramsden
- Pettinger
- Turner
- Cullen
- Forbes
- Sowersby, Jack
- Brankley
- Robinson (c)
- Watts
- Davies
- Johnson
- Rix
- Scurry
- Murray, Ryan
- Sowersby, Tom
- Robson
- Young
Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White.