Driffield 1st XV travel to Heath in Regional 1 North East, 2nd team head to Sheffield Tigers, 3rds travel to Barton whilst the 4ths host Hull uni. On Sunday the ladies Travelle too Disbury in the Womens Championship North 2.

Another tough task ahead for our 1st XV, a trip to Heath. Heath currently sit 2nd in league 5 points behind leaders Billingham. Heath have lost twice so far this season, both loses where in the last 3 weeks. they lost at Billingham 39-27, and then the week after at home to Cleckheaton 16-23. Last weekend they won at Doncaster Phoenix, 18-15.

Heath joined us in winning promotion last season from North one East. We won both fixtures, 18 – 8 at Heath & 22-10 at Kelleythorpe. Before that we faced off in Yorkshire 1, season 2012/13. Heath won at Kelleythorpe whilst we won at Heath. The defeat at Kelleythorpe was our 1st loss to Heath. We have met 6 times in league action.

Driffield will be more than disappointed with their loss at Alnwick last weekend. Alnwick managed Driffield out of the game in the 1st half, turning around at half time 23 – 3. We played abit better in the second half but never looked like wining the match. The lads know the performance was below what they expect to produce.

Our loss to Alnwick means they jump us in the league, we drop to 4th. Cleckheaton good form sees them move to 5th, on joint on 29 points with us. Billingham still lead the way having lost only the once, West Bridgford have twice, but remain bottom due to the extra Bonus points Scunthorpe have picked up, Scunthorpe with only the 1 win so far. (10th) Ilkley, (9th) Phoenix & (8th) Paviors all have 3 wins, and are separated by 2 points, York & Sandal sit 7th & 6th with 4 wins a piece, although Sandal has 25 points to Yorks 21. It is starting to look like a very interesting league. We only have Heath & Ilkley who we have not played yet.

Seconds continued with their superb form, bring the win back from Alnwick 22 -19. I doubt they will have faced each other before, but a long way to go, a win makes it worth it. They face Sheffield Tigers, a last-minute booking as Harrogate 2nds called off our game, and Ionians pulled out of their game at Tigers. So, we decide to play each other, with Driffield happy to travel. Another tough match ahead for our young second team.

The 3rd team get another run out at Barton, whilst the 4th Host Hull Uni.

A great effort from all the captains & management to get 4 teams out, considering the likes of Ionians & Harrogate cannot manage a second team at minute.

In the squad, The back line has had a few changes, Harrison, Turnbull & Murray return for Blacker, Sowersby & Short, Watts moves back to Full Back with Murray starting at 10. The pack remain unchanged apart from Pettinger starting at prop with Mckinnon on the bench & Turner returns in the second row replacing Grant. Soanes comes on the bench alongside Mckinnon & Hughes.

The ladies return to action on Sunday, looking to back up their last minute win against Manchester with a win at Didsbury Toc, it should be a great game, as we are currently only 1 point apart in the league, Both P5, W1 L4, we have picked up 1 more BP than Didsbury. Good luck to the ladies.

Driffield 1st XV v Heath 1st XV , Sat 12/11/2022, KO 2.15 @ Heath.

1 – Thundercliffe, 2 – Ramsden, 3 – Pettinger

4 – Turner, 5 – Gleeson

6 – Flakingham, 7 – Jenkinson, 8 – Brankley

9 – Robinson, 10 – Murray

12 – Turnbull, 13 – Dinsdale

11 – Stephenson, 14 – Harrison, 15 – Watts

16 – Soanes, 17 – Mckinnon, 18 – Hughes.

Good Luck to all in Blue, Black & White.