Today we welcome Driffield to Clifton Park, we are expecting another competitive afternoon, as 11th play 12th in the tables.

The game starts between the centre field, the visitors holding the ball creating phases and winning the breakdowns, spreading the ball wide only to find the Driffield no8, William Hughes in the wide channel to score in the corner, James Watts missing the conversion.
From the restart there is an offence from York, the Driffield no10 places the touch kick in the corner, a driving maul is set and Samuel Robson is at the back of the maul to score the try, to be converted by James Watts.

With only 20 minutes gone, Driffield score again by supporting the ball carrier, assisted by Joseph Girking then Robbie Rix, an impressive full back, who scores the try, once again converted by Watts.

York manages to get some field position, Toby Atkin and Willem Enslin combine to set up the try for the diligent no8, who crashes over the line under the posts, presenting a straightforward conversion, are we going for a York revival?

Driffield are now holding onto possession also creating turnovers, their three quarters handling smartly, a penalty is awarded they put the ball in the corner and drive for the line, Paul Dervey is at the back controlling the ball to score the try, Watts converts, then York’s Sam Croft is sent to the sin bin for pulling the maul down. York is now down to fourteen, as the bonus point is awarded to the opponents, with only thirty minutes gone.

From the restart York seem energised and are threatening, keeping possession, Toby Atkin working the openings, as always at the heart of things, but it is only one out rugby, the ball is recycled to Jonty Atkinson who forces his way over by the posts, giving a simple conversion.

Just before half time, Driffield grabs an interception try from 60m out, Owen Scurry leaves all in his wake to score under the posts, a gift from York, putting the game out of York’s reach, as Watts converts.

Half Time ….York 14. Driffield 33

The second period commences well for York, Jake Cheetham kick passes the ball with supreme accuracy into the dead ball area, the tall Jensen John takes his chance to finish the opportunity, that any professional player would have been proud of, he is a rare talent, the conversion drifts across the posts.

Driffield seem to be now taking more control of the game, in spite of receiving a yellow card for a deliberate knock on, as their speedy backs enter into the game, even though Sam Croft returns and Luke Stockton is now on, back after injury reinforcing the York pack, as half time approaches.

The tale of the first half is the domination of the line outs, the speed to breakdown, the speed of recycling the ball and the ability to slow down any York possession, creating unforced errors, along with too many missed tackles and poor decisions. One classic moment was an overlap that had was worked on by York on the left flank, and with the line beckoning the final pass was forward, it summed up the game.

York at times so dominated the set scrum, driving the opposition backwards at a rate of knots, but Driffield managed to hold onto this ball due to the skill of their no8 at the back of scrum.

As the game progresses the Driffield backs take charge, James Watts controlling the game with his distribution skills and kicking out of hand for field position, as well as off the kicking tee, he ended up with six conversions.

Today York was beaten by a better drilled team in attack and defence, and must now retire to lick their wounds and regroup.

The final score.
York 19. Driffield 57

Match report by Carter Croft