Once again the 1st and 2nd XVs travel together, this time to Doncaster Phoenix.  There is no game for the 3rd XV, and the 4th XV have a bus trip to Grimsby RUFC.

Another tough game for our 1st and 2nd XVs, as they head to Castle Park to face Doncaster Phoenix.  Phoenix 1st XV currently sit 6th in the league, having won 8 and lost 8 of their 16 games so far.  They lost to Alnwick last Saturday, 20 – 27, lost at Cleckheaton the week before 31-14 and beat league leaders Billingham 19-17 three weeks ago.  They also won at Ilkley, and lost to Heath by three points back in November : without a doubt, a tough task ahead for the Woldsmen.  In our first meeting this season the Woldsmen won 27-15.  It was a tight game, with Driffield scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to take the lead and despite a very late score to Phoenix, Driffield took the win.

Having missed another home game last weekend due to the cold weather and frozen pitches, our last outing was the loss at Billingham on the 14th Jan.  As I mentioned in last week’s preview, that loss was one we could get a lot out of : Billingham showed why they are top of the league, and we can take a lot of positives from that game.  The cancellation last weekend also means we play every Saturday in February, and every game is at Kelleythorpe.

The week off has also given more time for injuries to recover, with Both Mewburn and Falkingham returning the squad.

The 2nd XV also head to Doncaster to face Phoenix’s 2nd XV.  In their earlier meeting our 2nds won 48-26.  They tasted defeat for the first time in a while up at Billingham last time out 29 – 26 : still a good effort up there.  They still sit in second place in the Yorkshire Merit League, just behind Wharfedale.  Once again, they are taking a very strong side to Doncaster.

Our 4th XV head to Grimsby RUFC, looking for their third win in a row after beating Withernsea and Scarborough in January.

No games for the 3rd or Ladies XVs this weekend.

Please note, Doncaster Knights are playing at home on Saturday, which means it is going to be very busy at Castle Park.  Parking at the club will be hard to find, and will cost £5 per vehicle, + £5 pp entrance fee, so might be worth parking up the road.  See this link for more info https://driffieldrufc.com/2023/01/24/information-for-supporters-travelling-to-doncaster-phoenix-saturday-28-january-2023/

Driffield RUFC 1st XV team sheet.

  1. McKinnon
  2. Pettinger
  3. Thundercliffe
  4. Gleeson
  5. Turner
  6. Jenkinson
  7. Mewburn
  8. Brankley
  9. Watts
  10. Brigham
  11. Rix
  12. Sowersby, J
  13. Blacker
  14. Soanes
  15. Dinsdale, B
  16. Short
  17. Falkingham
  18. Ramsden

Goodl luck to all in Blue, Black and White.