The 1st and 2nd XVs both welcome Doncaster Phoenix, no 3rd XV game, and 4th XV also at home hosting Grimsby 2nds.
Another big weekend for DRUFC ahead. Doncaster Phoenix make their 1st visit to Kelleythorpe for a league fixture since 2016. See the match programme here.
We have only played each other twice in league format : that was back in the 2015-16 season. Phoenix wonboth games, 38-13 at Doncaster and 29-52 at Kelleythorpe. This was on the way to being crowned champions of North 1 East following a rapid rise through the leagues. Phoenix reached National 3 level, and have remained there since. However, they did get moved sideways being placed into Midlands Premier from the 2017-18 season, before being moved back again for this season.
Phoenix have had a mixed start to this year’s campaign, currently sitting 8th in the league, following 3 wins and 4 losses. Their 3 wins came in the first 3 weeks of the season, against Sandal (a) 26-34, Scunthorpe (h) 29-22 and West Bridgford (a) 19-82. There followed 4 losses, York (h) 11-18, Billingham (a) 31-3, Cleck (h) 18-22 and last week at Alnwick, losing 40-12.
Driffield need a win to keep pace with the top of the league. Our loss at Cleckheaton last weekend means we have a 5-point gap to the top two, and with trips to Alnwick and Heath, and Ilkley visiting in November, 5 points against Phoenix would be very welcome, although I’m sure they will feel the same.
We picked up a couple of injuries at Cleckheaton last weekend : Ed Falkingham needs a week to resolve a leg issue, whilst Will Brigham is also side-lined following a shoulder injury.
James Watts and Joe Robinson return to the starting 15 at full-back and wing respectively. Ben Blacker moves from full-back to the wing. Ryan Murray returns at 10, and Jack Sowersby and Ben Dinsdale make up the centres. A change in the back row as Turner starts at 6, with Harry Grant starting in the second row.
League News
The league is starting to come to life, as we get deeper into the season. Last weekend saw York beat Ilkley 50-24, West Bridgford beat Paviors 28-26, Billingham beat Heath 39-27, Alnwick beat Phoenix 40-12. The only away win was Sandal at Scunthorpe 33-26.
West Bridgford, Scunthorpe and Paviors make up the bottom three. Heath remain top on points difference from Billingham. Driffield, Alnwick and Cleckheaton are trying to keep in touch.
Other Teams
The 2nd XV managed to pick up a last-minute fixture against Phoenix after Sheffield Tigers 2nds cried off on Thursday. They currently sit second in the Merit League : their only loss so far was at Harrogate 2nds. Top of this league is Wharfedale, although we don’t seem to play them until February away and March at home.
Our 3rd XV have a free weekend at the moment : they were down to play Hull 2nds but, like Tigers, have cancelled too.
The 4th XV welcome Grimsby 2nds.
No game this weekend for the Ladies : a week to recover and get ready for the visit of Manchester on Sunday, 6 November.
Driffield RUFC 1st XV v Doncaster Phoenix RUFC 1st XV, Sat 29/10/2022, KO 15:00.
- S Pettinger
- D Ramsden
- B Mckinnon
- H Grant
- S Gleeson
- K Turner
- M Jenkinson (c)
- A Brankley
- T Sowersby
- Ry Murray
- J Sowersby
- B Blacker
- B Dinsdale
- J Robinson
- J Watts
- J Short
- J Thundercliffe
- H Hughes
Good Luck to All in Blue, Black & White.