York’s visitors Driffield were sitting comfortably in mid table in no danger of being drawn into the relegation struggle and with an outside chance of making the promotion play offs. York after a difficult game against Harrogate were looking to get back to winning ways and pull away from the automatic relegation spots.

In the away fixture earlier in the season York lost 24-6 despite having the majority of possession and territory in a game which they could and probably should have won
The weather was glorious, a warm sunny day with barely a cloud in the sky and with no rain for some time the pitch was dry and well suited to running rugby. The visitors brought a good number of supporters to supplement the home crowd. All were looking forward to an enjoyable game.

York kicked off and Driffield immediately took the game to York and after a period in midfield when they dominated possession the home side conceded a penalty which the visitors kicked to the 22. York defended well but found it hard to get out of their own half as they could not spend any time on the ball as Driffield dominated possession. They conceded a further penalty which the visitors kicked to the 10 metre line. The catch and drive was defended but Driffield remained patient and eventually pressure told and the try followed. The conversion from wide out was missed. After 12 minutes the visitors were 5 points up.

From the kick off York forced an error which allowed them to spend time in their opponent’s half and 22 but the visitors defended well and the chance went when the ball was lost in contact allowing Driffield to clear. Play was then in midfield before a further penalty allowed York to kick to the 22 but the line out was lost and again Driffield were able to clear. York continued to attack but were not clinical enough and unable to make any progress against a well organised defence.

Driffield then broke clear and a penalty allowed them to kick to the York 5 metre line. The catch and drive was well executed and the try followed. The conversion was missed and the margin after 30 minutes was 10 points.

From the kick off York secured the ball and attacked and secured a line out in the 22 but the ball was lost Driffield were able to make a break and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. After 33 minutes the score was 0-15.

The remainder of the half was spent in the visitor’s 22 as York attacked looking for a score before half time but could make no progress against a solid defence. The pressure resulted in a kickable penalty but the decision was made to go for the try. The ball was kicked to the 10 metre line but the catch and drive was defended, and York were unable to take advantage of the opportunity before the half time whistle.

The view from the stand was that York would have to score first to have any chance of taking anything from the game and to do so they would have to make more of their possession.
York started the second half more positively than the first but again the visitor’s defence kept them out. After they cleared to half way York attacked again and earned a penalty which they kicked to 15 metres from the Driffield line but again could not take advantage and the chance was lost. A further attack resulted in another penalty which the ever reliable George Davies kicked. After 10 minutes York finally had points on the board.

York were now playing with more purpose and belief. A break in midfield nearly resulted in a try but desperate defence kept them out but eventually the pressure told and Henry du Boulay went in at the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. The score now 8-15 after 14 minutes.

York now had their tails up and from broken play the ball went along the back line allowing winger Adam Quinn to score under the posts. George Davies had no problem with the conversion and after 17 minutes the scores were level at 15 points each.

Any thoughts that York would be able to pull away were soon dashed as from the kick off the visitors went on the attack, and the ball went through several phases with both forwards and backs involved and eventually the pressure told and after 21 minutes a converted try followed to put the visitors ahead at 15-22.

York knew that despite the setback the game was there to be won and took the game to their opponents, the ball went through a number of phases before Johny Atkinson touched down in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed but the deficit after 24 minutes was now 2 points.

From the kick off York were again on the attack and a score seemed inevitable when centre Jonty Atkinson made a break, but he was hauled down 5 metres from the line and the ball was lost. It was then Driffield’s turn to attack and they forced York to concede a penalty 15 metres from their line which was kicked to stretch their lead to 5 points after 32 minutes.
With time running out York kept at it and when it appeared nothing was on Jonty Atkinson put in a grubber kick behind the Driffield back line which Cian Vaughan managed to gather and score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. The scores were level at 25 each after 36 minutes.

York attacked from the kick off, Toby Atkin made a break, but his pass did not go to hand. Despite this pressure was maintained and the visitors conceded a penalty on their 22-metre line. There was complete silence around the ground as George Davies lined up and when it sailed between the sticks the players and crowd erupted recognising the significance of the score. York into the lead for the first time in the match with the score at 28-25 and the potential for a 5 point result.

There was no time for any further action as the referee blew the final whistle to the relief and jubilation of the home players and supporters.

It was a well-earned win for York which appeared unlikely at half time but a reward for their determination, endeavour and self-belief. The scrum was solid throughout the game and with a more efficient line out and clinical finishing the result would have been more emphatic.

Results elsewhere mean that York remain in the play offs. Next week York travel to Heath and then play Ilkley at home on the 11th April.

Jonathan Leach
22nd March 2026