This weekend we have five senior teams out : 1sts and 2nds both travel to York, 3rds and 4ths host Scarborough 2nds and 3rds at Kelleythorpe, and the Ladies 1st XV travels to Sale Ladies on Sunday.
Driffield travel to York with confidence high, sitting top of the league, having won 4 from 4 and taking the maximum 20 points. I’m sure York will be looking to put a stop to our superb start to the season, and a stern test they will surely be.
York have won 2 and lost 2 so far this season : winning at Doncaster Phoenix last Friday evening, and beating Cleckheaton at York the week before. Their two losses came at Billingham 24 – 14 and at Alnwick 13-10.
It has been a few years since we met. We spent two seasons in North One East together in 18-19 and 19-20. In the 18-19 season, York did the double on us in two very tight games : 22-23 at Driffield and 24-22 at York. The following season Driffield won at home, 22-18. Then Covid hit, so the return fixture did not happen. The RFU then decided on previous form how the leagues should be finished, and York (rightly so) were promoted to North Premier. Driffield finished in 4th. York did well in their 1st season in North Premier, winning 9 games and finishing 10th in the league. Our promotion last season at least means we have ‘Local Derby’.
We come into this game top of the league, with a 100% win rate and points. Our wins have all come against the bottom 4 teams in the league, however. Alnwick lost at Paviors last weekend, Ilkley scraped past Paviors and Sandal. It looks like this league might be a bit too much for West Bridgford. I’m pretty sure Sandal, Paviors and Scunthorpe will start picking up wins soon. I believe taking maximum points from the first 4 games is a fantastic achievement, that many would have doubted before the season started. I also believe we can carry it on a bit further into season.
A few changes again in the squad this week. Pettinger is nursing a knock and needs a little bit longer, Nellen has once again departed Driff RUFC for a few months due to work commitments. Blenkinsop and Mckinnon start in the front row alongside Ramsden. Gleeson makes his 1st start in the second row. In the backs, Rix suffered a fractured elbow against West Bridgford and, with Watts unavailable, this has forced a re-shuffle. Blacker comes in at full back, with Brankley starting at 12. Dervey, Sowersby and Brigham make up the bench.
The second VX will be looking to make up for the loss at Harrogate last Saturday, where we were missing quite a few second team regulars so the loss, although not we want, also showed strength and the coaches were happy sending a team and playing rugby.
3rds and & 4ths both have their 1st games of the season at home to Scarborough 2nds and 3rds, 3pm KO if you fancy watching some rugby at Driffield.
The ladies look to bounce back from last-minute loss to Sefton last weekend. I’m sure they learnt a lot from their experience. They face a tough test traveling to sale on Sunday,
In the league, Heath are the only other side to have a 100 % record, beating Scunthorpe last weekend 50-16. Doncaster Phoenix lost at home to York on Friday, Billingham beat Cleckheaton away winning 49-7, Ilkley just saw off Sandal 26 -22, Paviors beat Alnwick 35 – 22.
York RUFC 1st XV v Driffield RUFC 1st XV, Saturday 01/10/2022. KO 15:00
- Blenkinsop
- Ramsden
- Mckinnon
- Grant
- Gleeson
- Turner
- Jenkinson (c)
- Falkingham
- Robinson
- Murray, Ryan
- Short
- Brankley
- Dinsdale
- Harrison
- Blacker
- Sowersby, Jack
- Dervey
- Brigham
Good Luck to all in Blue, Black and White.