It is a double header as our 1st and 2nd XVs travel to Scunthorpe RUFC.
Both teams make the trip across the Humber Bridge for this Saturday’s action : 1st XV in Regional North One league match and 2nd XV in Yorkshire Merit Premiership.
We have played Scunthorpe a few times in our History, but only in pre-season warm-up fixtures. Due to Scunthorpe playing in Midlands & Lincs leagues, I believe this will be the 1st time we have met in a competitive format, seems crazy as it turns out this is one of local derbyies, alongside the York fixtures.
Scunthorpe were moved from Midlands Premier League at the end of last season, they finished 8th in the league, P26, W14, D1, L11. So far this season they have lost their two opening fixtures. The opening weekend they hosted Cleckheaton and lost 22-26, last weekend they travelled too Doncaster Phoenix and lost 29 -22. Two tight games. They currently sit 7th in the league.
Driffield are looking to make it 3 from 3. A superb win against Sandal last Saturday, and our victory at Paviors on the opening weekend, means we have taken the full 10 points available so far, which is more than we supports had hoped for I’m sure.
Team News, Driffield name a couple changes to their squad this Saturday. James Watts start at Full Back, in place of Dinsdale, who moves to Centre as Sowersby is not available. Harrison comes in on the wing to Replace Stephenson. The pack start the same as last weekend. On the bench Joe Robinson makes his return, alongside Warren-Lambert & new arrival Bryce Mckinnon makes his debut after a strong showing for the 2nds last weekend.
League News:
The league saw a repeat of the opening weekend last Saturday, with all the teams who won, making it 2 from 2. Billingham beat York, 24-14, Cleckheaton beat West Bridgeford, 45-11, Heath beat Paviors 57-7, The only away win saw Alnwick return with the points from their trip to Ilkley, 6-13. As mentioned earlier, Doncaster phoenix beat Scunthorpe 29-22 and Driffield saw off Sandal 52-31.
Lots of interesting fixtures in the league this weekend, it kicks off tonight with Sandal hosting Heath under flood lights. then tomorrow, Billingham travel to Alnwick, Paviors host Ilkley, West Bridgeford host Doncaster Phoenix and York host Cleckheaton. We could really start to get a feel on how the league might be going come Saturday evening.
2nd team.
As will be the norm, not the unusual this season, the second team travel with the 1st team for their Yorkshire Premier fixture. The seconds had a good win against Sandal last Saturday 59 – 20. For their first fixture of the season is a great result, they will be looking to push on again this Saturday.
Team Sheet
Driffield RUFC 1St xv V Scunthorpe RUFC 1St Xv, KO 3pm.
1 Nellon, 2 Ramsden, 3 Pettinger
4 Turner, 5 Grant
6 Brankley, 7 Jenkinson, 8 Falkingham
9 Sowersby, 10 Murray Ry
12 Rix R, 13 Dinsdale B
11 Harrison, 14 Short, 15 Watts
16 Robinson, 17 Mckinnon, 18 Warren-Lambert
Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White.