We welcome Scunthorpe RUFC to Kelleythorpe for our Regional 1 North East Fixture. No fixture for the 2nd XV as Hull Ionians were unable to raise a side, and a mixed 3rd / 4th XV head to Hullensians. The Ladies XV travels to Sefton RUFC on Sunday.
The third week of league action sees us host Scunthorpe RUFC. Last season we did the double over the Lincolnshire outfit, winning 55 – 31 at Heslam Park and 34 – 27 at Kelleythorpe. The game at Scunthorpe was tight until, they had a player sent off for a high tackle just before half time : after that, we ran away easy winners. The game at Kelleythorpe was a tighter affair : 17 all just after half time. Driffield then went out to 31 – 17, before letting their guard down and allow ing Scunthorpe a sniff of the win. However, Driffield held on for the win, with both teams getting Try bonus points.
Scunthorpe finished the season in tenth place, just one point above Paviors who were relegated. They faced each other on the second to last weekend, with Scunthorpe winning 47 – 24 to keep their place in this division.
They have the same record as us this season, won one and lost one. They won the first weekend at Cleckheaton 13 – 25, and lost to Doncaster Phoenix last weekend at Scunthorpe 15 – 28. They currently sit in month place on 4 points.
We managed to sneak the win at Sandal last weekend, which turns out to be great result. Following the loss to Harrogate the weekend before it was hard to tell how we were looking. However, a win at Sandal shows we are looking OK.
It turned into a tight affair : we managed to get a lead of 12 points early in the second half, before letting Sandal back into the game and giving them a two-point lead with five minutes remaining. Skipper Brankley then scored his last of his four tries to get us the lead back. And despite Sandal’s best efforts we managed to hold on for the win. Taking a full five points too.
A few changes in the squad : Blacker starts in the centre, with Rowbottom moved to the wing and Short takes a seat on the bench. Sowersby starts at 9 as Robinson is unavailable. In the pack, Falkingham comes straight back in the second row, with Turner moving to 6. Johnson joins the bench.
No game for the 2nd XV, as Hull Ionians could not raise a team again.
The 3rd and 4th XVs join forces as they travel to Hullensians to play their second team.
The Ladies start their league campaign with a trip to Sefton RUFC. Last season the Woldswomen did the double over Sefton, winning 15 – 12 at Sefton and 25 – 21 at Kelleythorpe – two very close games. Hopefully the ladies can get off to another strong start.
Driffield RUFC 1st XV v Scunthorpe RUFC 1st XV, Saturday 16 September 2023, KO 15:00
- McKinnon
- Pettinger
- Robson
- Falkingham
- Hughes
- Turner
- Mewburn
- Brankley, Adam
- Sowersby, Tom
- Murray, Ryan
- Brankley, Tom
- Rix
- Blacker
- Rowbottom
- Grant, Kalani
- Short
- Furbank
- Johnson
Good Luck to all in Blue, Black and White.