Here we go, the big one is here.
In what seems like a blink of the eye, our win over Syston RUFC last Saturday is a distant memory. The last-minute conversation the referee held with his touch judge is now forgotten. The final whistle blew. We had won, and needed to start planning for a visit to the home of rugby, Twickenham Stadium. Driffield RUFC playing at Twickenham Stadium ! We had come close before, in a quarter-final away at Ilkeston, and semi-final away at Gloucester Old Boys. We lost both. This time we made it.
Roll on six days and all our plans have been put in place : the players’ transport and accommodation has been sorted ; the supporters’ travel arrangements has been organised, with 150 supporters booked on to coaches, all organised by Brad Webster. Many thanks Brad : a challenging job that I’m sure only you could have organised as well as you have.
Information has been shared to all the other supporters making their own way to London, T-shirts ordered and delivered (in a strange way, thanks to Chris Waite Transport) and handed out. Media interviews from all the coaches, columns in papers we have not seen before. It has not been a average week at Kelleythorpe.
A quick run through what we know for the weekend ahead.
The players and coaches’ coach will be leaving Kelleythorpe at 12 o’clock on Saturday, 29th.
The supporters’ coaches will depart at 9am on Sunday, 30th.
Players arrive at Twickenham around 2.30pm Sunday, West Stand Car Park (will update on Social media on the day).
Players access to Changing rooms, 15.30.
Team Photo outside Spirit of Rugby 15.50.
KO at 17.00.
Trophy presentation from the Royal Box approx 18.25
Supporters’ coaches depart Twickenham 20.00.
Players’ coach departs for home 10.00 Monday, 1 May, expected to arrive at Kelleythorpe around 15.00.
The Squad
As you would expect, no injuries worries ahead of this weekend, with every player declaring them self available for selection. Good news for everyone, apart from the selection committee.
Team to be announced tomorrow.
Our Opponents
Havant RFC, based in in Hampshire, stand in-between us and the Papa John’s Community Cup. As you would expect, it is our first meeting.
They play their rugby in Regional 1 South Central league, which is the same level as us. They finished second in the league, P 22, W18, L4, Points 91. They average almost 33 points per game, and their biggest winning margin was 45 points. Wimbledon won the league, having only lost once.
In the Cup they won their pool : like us they played two games. They won at Shelford 36-17, then beat Camberley 26-24 at Havant. Last weekend they welcomed our friends from Heath to Havant in the semi-final and won 27-21. Reports from the game suggest Havant stretched away to a decent lead before Heath got into the game : the last 15 minutes were spent with Heath camped on the Havant line, but unable to cross it.
Other News
Our U15s have diverted their tour, as they were supposed to head to Darlington. A quick change of plans following our win last week sees them now heading to Twickenham RUFC to take part in a tournament. Anyone staying down that way on Saturday evening, they kick off at 10 on Sunday morning.
The T-shirts are available from 10.30am tomorrow, not 9am as advertised.
Please keep us updated with your journey and support for the weekend using #woldsmen
If you cannot make the trip to HQ, you can follow the action live on the RFU Youtube channel, follow this link.
A massive thanks to Chris Young and the Driffield RUFC committee for the organisation this week : it is really appreciated.
For one final time this season : Good luck to all those in Blue, Black and White (or red, as we will be on Sunday)