It is a real Derby weekend as the club competes against Malton & Norton RUFC : 1sts and 4ths at Kelleythorpe and the 3rds go to the Gannock.  There is no game for the 2nds as Otley cried off.

A warm welcome to players, officials and supporters to Kelleythorpe this Saturday for this North One East fixture.  Driffield will be looking to get a second derby win on the trot following last weekend’s win at Pocklington.  The game at Pocklington finished in near pitch dark – as a result, both clubs have agreed this weekend to a 2pm KO with a 12.15 sit-down if you are at the ‘sold out’ pre-match meal.

Cleck here to see this week’s programme.

So to this weeks opponents : Malton are having a steady season, currently sitting 8th in the league : P12, W5, D1, L6, and 31 points.  They have had some good results so far : winning at Heath 15 – 20 back in September stands out.  They were only just beaten at Brods 40 – 32 at the end of October.  However, they have lost 2 of their last 3 games : they beat Consett 20 -38, lost at Ilkley 33 – 21 and last weekend lost at the Gannock to Cleckheaton 16 – 22.

That mostly counts for nothing in these derby matches though.  Our fixture at the Gannock on the second weekend of the season ended in a draw.  Driffield went out in front, but Malton managed to get back into the game and levelled the scores. Driffield had a chance to win it with a last minute penalty, but that was sent wide. so a 26 all draw it ended.  Last season home advantage was the key : Malton won at the Gannock 28 – 7, whilst we won 45 – 31 at Kelleythorpe.  Our games at Kelleythorpe have usually been tight affairs, but the last time Malton won at Kelleythorpe was 25 September 2004.

Last week we played pretty well against a good Pocklington side.  Our defence was very good, and Pocklington scored with their 1st attack of the game.  However, Driffield had not touched the ball at that point and regrouped very well to get back straight into the game.  We only gave Pocklington three points after that, scoring 23 points unanswered.

I believe we have used over 45 players in our 1st team so far this season, which I think is an amazing fact.  Add to that, we are sat top of the league having only lost the once, and it shows the whole club is working together.  Bash, Tosh, Coops and Mitch are doing a great job.

A few changes (again) in this weekend’s squad. Pettinger picked up a strain against Pocklington and Furbank is unavailable, so Foxton and Robson start at props, and Ramsden at hooker.  Captain Mewburn is back to fitness so starts at 7,  and Forbes is unavailable.  The backs remain the same.  On the bench, Harrison continues joined by Rob Murray and either M Blenkinsop or B Clappison.

Unfortunately our second team fixture against Otley has been cancelled as Otley could not raise a team, so they have a week off.  Third team go to the Gannock to face Malton 2nds whilst the fourth team host Malton 3rds.

Driffield RUFC 1st XV v Malton & Norton RUFC 1st XV, Sat 18/12/2021, KO 2PM

JUST A REMINDER IT IS A 2PM KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND.

  1. Foxton
  2. Ramsden
  3. Robson
  4. Brant
  5. Turner
  6. Sowersby
  7. Mewburn
  8. Jenkinson
  9. Robinson
  10. Watts
  11. Short
  12. Brankley
  13. Soanes
  14. Blacker
  15. Murray, Ryan
  16. Harrison
  17. Murray, Rob
  18. Blenkinsop / Clappison.

Steve Knowles Memorial Match will be Monday 27th December, KO 1.30pm.

Good Luck to all in Blue, Black and White