Could there be a better start to the new season than Driffield entertaining local rivals York on a lovely Autumn day on the Wolds, with only a light breeze blowing mainly across the immaculate Kelleythorpe pitch? The answer is that neither team really did themselves justice and early season rustiness resulted in a generally scrappy game.

York kicked off and immediately looked under pressure when their reconstructed scrum went backwards in the first scrummage. This strike against the head buoyed the home supporters but Driffield lost the advantage when the strong tackling York backs brought about a “knock on”. The game took on a clear pattern with strong driving runs for York, led by Bell, Goulding and Robinson and the York backs marshalled by Hessay began to create half chances which were consistently squandered. Driffield defended well but eventually were penalised which was converted by Hessay. (0-3). York stepped up the pressure, with Robinson taking the restart well and driving back at Driffield, but he was isolated and gave the home side a breathing space. This “isolation” was a recurring theme and probably reflects early season rustiness. However York attacked well and Forbes with a superb outside break put his winger away only for the cover tacklers to snuff out the danger about 5 metres short. Hessay also made a jinking break with almost identical results. After about 25 minutes, Driffield lost their scrum half to the sin bin, for what was seen as a spear tackle. From the resultant penalty Hessay added the three points. (0-6). Driffield were again penalised for a deliberate knock on but there was no further sanction applied. York were now dominant with Goulding and Bell driving forward constantly but several good overlaps were missed. A relieving penalty after 30 mins, effectively took play inside the York half for the first time and following a good nudge forward, York were penalised in front of the posts converted by Watts. (3-6). York almost claimed the restart kick, but Driffield cleared well and followed up with some strong running, aided by poor York tackling, which saw No 8 Brankley cross near the posts, for a good try duly converted by Watts. (10-6). Almost from the restart, York hit back with a fine individual try from 35 yards out by Hessay which he himself converted. (10-13). York finished the half strongly with their scrum now settled and on top, but the numerous knock-ons had prevented them gaining a match winning lead at the turn.

York started the second half well, but a line out offence saw Driffield relieve the pressure. During some scrappy play that followed Hessay was injured and forced from the field. York continued to attack and winger Elliot, having outpaced his opposite number, was impeded after having chipped forward. From the resultant penalty York drove for the Driffield line and winger Elliot crossed in the corner. The conversion failed. (10-18). Finally Driffield began to exert sustained pressure and after some 10 minutes constantly in the York half, they executed a flowing set piece move and winger Jackson went over in the corner for an unconverted try. (15-18). Play now became somewhat frantic, but Driffield were showing the greater combativeness. York were infringing regularly and conceding advantage and after a succession of driving mauls, Driffield flanker Mewburn got across the line for the final score of the game, a converted try. (22-18).

This was a difficult result to assess, but sufficient to say that the Driffield supporters were mightily relieved when the referee blew for time. For York the recent recruits showed up well and the outlook for the season is encouraging.