Driffield were within a few minutes of promotion in May - losing at the death in a play-off game to Wilmslow. York achieved promotion as convincing champions in Yorkshire One. York now join Scarborough, Consett and Morley as newcomers to this season’s North East Division One.

It was a sunny day approaching the end of a dry summer. Driffield ladies team played to open the day at The Showground, there was a barbecue and family activities before the 1st XV met York to begin the new campaign. Both teams have altered coaching staff, Kyle Dench is the new head coach for Driffield (moving up from assistant). Lee Denham continues in to his fourth season as head coach for York and is now supported by Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier, as backs coach, Danny Morgan looking after Strength & Conditioning, Steve Johnson concentrating on Scrummaging and Carter Croft as Player Development Coach. Rob Mewburn (No 8) captains Driffield for his second season, his brother, George, just ahead of him in the scrum at blindside flanker. York had a familiar line-up - Shane Goulding playing at six, Josh Parker at seven and Joe Maud at the base of the scrum to make a powerful back-row. After missing the majority of last season with an injury, Ross White returned as hooker and is this season’s captain. Liam Hessay plays at fly-half whilst goal kicking duties go to Jon Dawes at fullback.

Driffield scored the first points of the game; a sustained attack through phase ball only punctured by a Luke Stockton line-out steal and York were penalised and James Watts, the Driffield scrum-half, kicked the goal. York returned fire, Jon Dawes is a rangy runner and Driffield did well to haul him down in full flight. York recycled possession and earned a penalty which Jon kicked successfully. Ross White scored next for York after an impressive driving maul. The conversion was added and the visitors were playing very well, their line-out was accurate and they were precise in their organisation. Driffield responded with attacking structure. They nearly scored in the corner before York were penalised at the scrum. A quick tap penalty saw the ball fed to winger, Rob Murray, who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed. Liam Hessay found a gap in the Driffield defence thirty metres out and glided under the posts. The additional two points made the score 8-17 in York’s favour going in to half-time. It was an even game, the line-outs were competitive and securing contested ball involved everyone. Sam Forbes (centre) and Gareth Singleton (wing) did this notably for York as did Chris Fox (second-row) and Joe Maud. Liam Hessay and Jon Dawes were kicking out of hand in a timely manner to prevent Driffield from advancing.

Jon Dawes added a penalty as the second-half began before Alex Piercey then scored for Driffield after an offload in the tackle. The conversion tightened the score. York continued to play with commitment and Josh Parker secured the ball to allow Joe Maud to gain territory and a York scrum. Jon Dawes kicked another penalty to regain a two-score lead, which they would eventually need. Both teams were using the hard ground to kick effectively for territory. With fifteen minutes remaining York were exerting control on the game. Driffield missed a long-range penalty and York displayed energy, composure and hard work. Outside-centre, Gary Stevenson scored on a supporting line for Driffield at the death (only after replacement York wing, Harry Taylor sprinted sixty metres to make the initial tackle) but it was not enough. The final whistle blew immediately after the conversion.

It was a fantastic York performance against a very strong Driffield team. York play Consett at Clifton Park next Saturday while Driffield travel to Pocklington.