Another big weekend for DRUFC lies ahead : 1st XV host West Bridgford RUFC (click here for match programme), 2nds travel to Harrogate RUFC, Ladies host Sefton RUFC on Sunday.
A warm welcome will be given on Saturday as we welcome West Bridgford RUFC, making their first visit to Kelleythorpe.
West Bridgford finished second in last season’s Midlands 1 East so, like us, they were promoted up a level. However, they were also moved from Midlands to North, joining the new Regional 1 North East. They have had a tough start to their campaign, having lost 3 from 3 : 57-10 at Billingham on the opening weekend, 45 – 11 at Cleckheaton on the second weekend and went down 19 – 82 when hosting Doncaster Phoenix last weekend. Having said this, I wouldn’t be writing them off already : they have had two tough away days at Billingham and Cleckheaton, and Phoenix look to be in good form this season with 3 from 3.
Driffield had another good outing last weekend, making the short journey across the Humber to face Scunthorpe. A steady 1st half saw Driffield looking in command at 15 – 0 with half-time approaching. However, Scunthorpe scored either side of the break, to make it14 -15. At that point the game could have gone either way. Scunthorpe had a man sent off on the 50-minute mark, and then Driffield ran rampant, running in 6 second half tries to Scunthorpe’s 2. A very good win, great to be scoring freely. That said, I am sure the squad and coaches are aware we need to stop teams scoring 31 points against us.
League news.
Heath went to the top of the League on Friday night following their win at Sandal. Under the lights, Heath seemed to be too strong for Sandal – final Score Sandal 5 – 30 Heath. On Saturday, York beat Cleackheaton 33-26, Phoenix won at West Bridgford 82-18, Ilkley won at Paviors 21 – 15, and Alnwick beat Billingham 23-20.
This means we have 4 teams with 100% win records : Doncaster Phoenix, Driffield, Heath and Alnwick. Phoenix and Driffield have picked up maximum points. Four teams are still to register their first win : West Bridgford, Sandal, Paviors and Scunthorpe.
Team News
A few lads are not available due to personal commitments this weekend, which means we have a few changes to last weekend’s squad. Pettinger, Brankley, Dinsdale, Blenkinsop, and both Sowersbys are all unavailable. In the backs, Stephenson returns for Dinsdale in the centres, Robinson starts at 9 in place of Sowersby. In the forwards, McKinnon makes his first start, Young starts in the second row, and Turner is moved to the back row. The bench is all changed. Furbank, Blacker and new recruit Gleeson on the bench waiting to get on the pitch. Still a good strong squad.
Second Team
Like the 1sts, the seconds had a great win away at Scunthorpe last weekend, and face another tough test away at Harrogate this Saturday. Having won their two opening fixtures, both league games, Driffield will be looking for another win to keep them up top in a very tough Merit League.
Ladies
The Ladies host Sefton Ladies on Sunday, 14.00 KO, in their 1st league game of 22/23 season. I’m sure they can’t wait to get out there and test themselves against these teams a league higher than last season following their promotion. Good luck to the Ladies.
Its also worth pointing that this Saturday is our annual Ladies Day pre-match lunch. The event sold out as soon as the date was released, so we will hopefully have 150+ well-behaved ladies cheering the boys on from the balcony. Thanks for your support and we hope have a great day.
Driffield RUFC 1st XV v West Bridgford 1st XV, Saturday 24/09/22, KO 15:00
- McKinnon
- Ramsden
- Nellen
- Grant
- Young
- Turner
- Jenkinson (c)
- Falkingham
- Robinson
- Murray, Ryan
- Harrison, Henry
- Rix
- Stephenson
- Short
- Watts
- Blacker
- Furbank
- Gleeson.
Good Luck all in Blue, Black & White.