Two things were in question here : could Driffield get a decent side out to travel this distance just before the festivities ; and what would Penrith’s reaction be to last week’s hammering at Harrogate ?
Driffield would be wanting to right the wrongs of the home loss earlier in the season – a result they will no doubt be looking back on now as a missed opportunity.
In the event, it was a physical game against a Penrith side which the programme said featured five players returning from injury.
Driffield pulled out to a good lead and Penrith looked to be down and out. But their big ball carriers kept coming, and pulled it back to 24-31, giving both sides the try bonus.
This was followed by two yellow cards for Driffield in the last 10 minutes.
A try for Penrith left a very tense last five minutes. With the last kick of the game, a Penrith penalty to win the game went across the front of the posts and Driffield were relieved to get the victory.
14:15 : KO
14:20 : Penrith try, unconverted. P 5 – 0 D
14:26 : Try by Ben Styche, unconverted. P 5 – 5 D
14:46 : Try by Penrith, converted. P 12 – 5 D
14:49 : Try by Will Hughes, converted by Gregor Napier. P 12 – 12 D
14:54 : Try by Rob Mewburn, unconverted. P 12 – 17 D
15:04 : Half Time
15:13 : Try by Penrith, converted. P 19 – 17 D
15:17 : Try by Dan Ramsden, converted by Gregor Napier. P 19 – 24 D
15:21 : Try by Gregor Napier, which he converted. P 19 – 31 D
15:26 : Try by Penrith, unconverted. P 24 – 31 D
15:36 : Yellow card for Hughes, with around 10 minutes to go, and Penrith camped in the Driffield 10m.
15:41 : Yellow card for Robinson, shortly followed by an unconverted try for Penrith. P 29 – 31 D
15:47 : With the last kick of the game, a penalty for Penrith went across the face of the goal, and Driffield took the spoils with five points
15:48 Full Time 29 – 31
The travelling supporters retired to the club house for a calming cup of cocoa !