1st XV head to Derby to face West Bridgford RUFC – all other games are cancelled due to the frozen ground.

1st XV travel to Derby to face West Bridgford, with a late change of venue resulting in the match taking place at the University of Derby artificial pitch – the postcode for travelling support is DE22 1GB – this is due to frozen pitch at West Bridgford. After last week’s postponement, I am sure the lads and coaching staff are happy to get a game, and not have a 4-week break between games.

West Bridgford currently lie bottom of the league, with 11 points. They have won twice this season – both home wins : 30-15 against Scunthorpe and 28-26 against Paviors.  They received a losing BP against Ilkley.  Apart from these, it has been a hard season for them so far, with quite a few heavy defeats, including their trip to Kelleythorpe back in September which finished 100 – 12.  Hopefully tomorrow’s game game will be a bit closer, but still a Driffield win.

Driffield were disappointed not be able to host Scunthorpe last weekend : it was clear early in the day that it was a major doubt and, despite some serious efforts from volunteers, including steam-washing the ground, it was never going to soften up.  Only Billingham & Doncaster Phoenix managed to get games ahead, both on 4G pitches.  So, our last match was the draw at Sandal.  Hopefully the week off will have given any knocks time to heal, and the boys will be ready for the journey south.

It is our last league fixture until the New Year – pretty sure the lads will want to finish the year with a win.  With Cleckheaton travelling to league leaders Billingham, if results go our way we could move back to 4th place.

Billingham’s win over Alnwick last weekend (60-10), has given them a 14-point lead in the league over both Alnwick and Heath, although Heath have a game in hand.  In the only other game of the weekend, Doncaster beat West Bridgford 43-7, to move to 6th in the league on 35 points.  4th to 7th in the are separated by 11 points, still pretty close.  West Bridgford and Scunthorpe have a big challenge to beat relegation, with both Ilkley and Paviors 6 and 8 points ahead.

West Bridgford RUFC 1st XV vs Driffield RUFC 1st XV at University of Derby, DE22 1GB, KO 2.15pm.

  1. McKinnon
  2. Pettinger
  3. Thundercliffe
  4. Gleeson
  5. Falkingham
  6. Turner
  7. Jenkinson
  8. Brankley, Adam
  9. Watts
  10. Murray, Ryan
  11. Brankley, Tom
  12. Sowersby, Jack
  13. Rix
  14. Blacker
  15. Dinsdale, Ben
  16. Short
  17. Ramsden
  18. Mewburn

Good Luck to all in Blue, Black and White.

Steve Knowles Memorial game will take place on Tuesday, 27th December, 2pm KO.  Please get and show some support for this traditional game.