York RUFC @ Driffield - Community Cup

A trip to Twickenham comes closer after our 3rd encounter with Driffield this season, these games are always tough encounters and so it proved again. The venue was to be Clifton Park but it had to altered to Kellythorpe due to a clash with the commencement of the Cricket season, it was not cricket weather more like a November day and definitely a warm clothing was the order of the day. The sizeable crowd were entertained to a quality game of Rugby as Driffield were wanting to hang onto their title. Toby Atkin returning to his scrum half position, following his lengthy absence due to a dislocated elbow, this did not seem to affect the speed of his service to Harry Shackleton, who has also recovered from a dislocated knee.

The first few minutes gave an insight of what was to come, Driffield kicking off, York dropping the kick off, the following scrum saw the power generated driving Driffield back some 10m, the scrum has been a big part of the team’s success this season. Five minutes gone and York are on the attack showing superb handling, big carries, phase plays, recycling 10 phases, going from edge to edge, this produces an overlap on the right for Will Fordy to sell a lovely dummy and to score near the posts, Harry Shackleton converts.

Almost immediately after the restart and Driffield are back in the game, as a clearing kick is charged down by Will Hughes, he follows up and then the ball sits up for him to cross the line to score, the conversion is not converted. There follows a penalty for a high tackle by Driffield no9, who is sent to the bin, then a period of penalties from both teams, as well as a number of unforced errors, this allows York’s superior scrum to put pressure on their opponents. Defence from both teams is quality, line speed is excellent denying time and space, sometimes too keen, this leads to a penalty for offside against York on their 10m line, James Watt steps up to convert the penalty, to give Driffield a slender lead.

We are then treated to kick out of defence to the York back three, a lovely counterattack results in a try in the left corner for AJ Peplinski, Harry Shackleton converts from the touchline. Another penalty awarded on the York 22m for Driffield’s James Watt to narrow the score line. We are now entertained with end to end running Rugby, ball turned over by both teams, strong defence, big hits, dominant tackles even as a spectator one could feel the determination and power. It is now small margins and the York line out begins to falter. The penalty count begins to mount, from both teams, the game is being well refereed and discipline is of a high standard.

We are treated to another counter attack from Zac Burlingham and Mitch Ashman with movement of the ball from left to right, involving backs and forwards, for the powerful Will Scholey to crash over in the right hand corner, Harry Shackleton converting. Half time Driffield 11 York 21.

Following the halftime break, Driffield begin to dominate possession and territory allowing a driven line out try to the home side which is not converted, the gap closes. The Referee ignores a deliberate knock down and plays advantage to Driffield, with the advantage over, Luke Stockton goes for the turnover, Driffield are penalised for not releasing on the York 10m line, the reliable boot of Harry Shackleton converts a valuable three points.

The Driffield no6, Will Hughes is having a magnificent game, following a series of penalties Driffield are camped in the York red zone, the ever present Hughes is there to drive over for a try converted, at 60 minutes the result seems inevitable, a Driffield victory! We are then treated to a class try, Will Hughes again down the blindside for a solo cameo, the reserve scrum half converting, 5 minutes to go. Driffield 30 York 24

York find a second wind, now throwing all caution to the wind, Joe Maud working hard, Toby Atkin returning and last ditch effort sees York awarded a number of penalties and going to the corner. Losing a line out, then getting another chance to win another line out and control the possession, it is frantic Atkin feeds Fordy, Shackleton loops Fordy, to score near the posts, a conversion to win. The cool headed Shackleton steps up to convert. Driffield 30 York 31

What a match, a big thank you to both teams and their coaches, for an entertaining afternoon.

York now play Heath in the semi-final on May 4th and yes its away again !