This was a late kick-off, as Doncaster Knights were also at home and took priority on the main pitch.
Both sides started with a kicking game, testing each other’s defences. It was therefore some time before the forwards got the chance to test the set-piece.
Eventually, Phoenix pressure paid off after nine minutes when they went through for a try under the posts, with a straightforward conversion. DP 7-0 D
From the restart, Driffield applied pressure, which gave Rix the opportunity to break up the right wing, slipping the ball back inside to Grant who went through a gap to score under the sticks, which he also converted. DP 7-7 D
Ten minutes later, Will Hughes broke up the left wing, with good support and quick ball, finished off by a great break by Falkingham to score under the posts. Grant converted. DP 7-14 D
Falkingham was injured in the attempt, so was replaced by Johnson.
Phoenix lost a man to the bin on 23 minutes, for collapsing the maul. Taking the scrum option, Driffield got the shove on before launching the attack wide allowing Blacker in at the corner. DP 7-19 D
With less than ten minutes to go in the half, a neck injury to a Phoenix player held the game up for 27 minutes.
With minutes to go, Driffield gave away a penalty for not rolling away at the tackle, gladly converted. DP 10-19 D
Half time followed shortly after.
From the restart, Driffield looked the better side, and should have scored but a knock-on gave it away.
Finally, Driffield won against the head in the scrum, a rarity in the modern game. Persistent Phoenix stoppages were now making the game scrappy, and defused Driffield momentum.
Driffield won another scrum, Adam Brankley picked up at the base, and tipped to Robinson who ran around the centre to score wide out – conversion missed. DP 10-24 D
From the kick-off Phoenix put Driffield under pressure, but Tom Brankley made a break up the left wing. Continued pressure resulted in an off-side penalty to Driffield on the half way line. The kick to touch from Murray found the 5m line. The catch and drive was held up over the line.
Great defence saw Driffield going backwards before quick hands put Tom Brankley up the right wing. He cut back inside to pass to Turner to score under the posts. Conversion Grant DP 10-31 D
With 60 minutes played, a ripped tackle by Henry Hughes halted Phoenix momentum, gaining a penalty for Driffield to relieve the pressure.
Phoenix pressure saw a great defensive set from Driffield forcing a Phoenix knock-on and scrum Driffield in Driffield 22 with 15 minutes left to play. By now, possession was changing hands often in wet conditions.
Another Driffield break by Henry Hughes saw the off-load to Tom Brankley knocked on, preventing a certain try.
Phoenix were not down yet – a cross-field kick was taken cleanly by Phoenix, and only great scramble defence stopped a certain try.
Ill-discipline from Phoenix started to cost them penalties. A Phoenix kick missed touch, and a big return from Adam Brankley got Driffield to the half way line, before Dan Ramsden broke from half-way to score untouched in the corner, converted by Grant. DP 10-38 D
Phoenix worked their way back, taking them inside Driffield 22, before Driffield defence held strong and Adam Brankley turned over the ball. Full Time DP 10-38 D
This was an excellent victory for Driffield, ending their run of losses and lifting them to fifth in the league.
There are now two home games in a row, where victories are key to keeping them in the top section of the table.