Driffield 38 v York 17
Saturday 13th October 2012
By Steve Maud.
As a contest this game was over and out of reach by half time with Driffield leading 31 – 0 at the break. How they got there was concerning for those associated with York RUFC
York had for the 7th game in row rung the changes in the side that took to the field with every combination in the side different from last weeks. Unsurprisingly then, York played like people who hardly knew one another in the first period in both attack and defence, and ultimately were on their way towards a major humiliation when Driffield had secured a bonus point win with 4 first half tries.
John Dawes (stand-off) missed a second minute penalty from 35 yards which may have settled the nerves, but after that it was all Driffield all the way, who carried real threat in their back three who moved the ball wide at every opportunity, they then flooded the 15 metre channels with support runners which paid dividends time and again. A Driffield game plan which was ably assisted by York’s poor kicking game, falling off tackles and inability to look after the few pieces of precious possession they did have. Throw in a near perfect goal kicking performance from the impressive Rob Kitching and York’s fate was sealed.
The half time talk must have resonated with the York players because the second half performance was different again. The target of winning the second was achieved but the first half deficit was too great to be realistically overturned. The second half started as badly as the first, York’s plan to run everything went pear shaped after 5 minutes. Having been awarded a penalty in their own 22 from a lineout infringement the quick tap and go was subsequently knocked on surrendering possession and field position to Driffield on the York 22 metre line. From the scrum Driffield attacked the inviting blindside and when Chapman (no 8) released Harding (scrum half) he rounded the York defence to score. Kitching converted 38 – 0.
It would be easy to think that Driffield then took their foot of the gas, but that would be wrong. They had further opportunities to improve their score but the ruthless accuracy that they had displayed in the first half went missing and they squandered a couple of gilt edged chances. The York game plan started to work and their determination to retain possession together with the introduction of Alex Nixon from the bench, after a long injury absence saw York giving better than they got. Themselves finishing the game with 17 unanswered points through tries from Mark Benson and George Elliott both converted John Dawes, who also helped himself to a nicely taken drop goal after York had worked good field position. Mark Benson and James Hartley impressed with some strong ball carrying, as did Gareth Singleton on the wing. So there were some positives as York clawed their way back from the edge of the abyss.
On reflection Driffield away will not be targeted as possible win by most sides in this league, so the performance of the side was crucial. Had York performed in the first half, with same determination as they did do in the second, then they would have been a lot closer to their hosts on the scoreboard.