York welcomed their local rivals Driffield for the 5th league game of the season to Clifton Park having made a solid start to the season winning 4 of the 5 and sitting 4th in the table. The home side were looking to put the disappointment of losing to Huddersfield in the last league game aside, get back into winning ways and move up the table. Driffield having won and lost 2 were 5th in the table. They were the second top scorers but concede 30 more points than their hosts.

After a morning of wet weather, the sun came out and it was a glorious day for rugby with both sides well supported. The pitch as always looking immaculate and providing the perfect playing surface.

From the kick off Driffield immediately took the game to York and after only 3 minutes earned a penalty which was kicked. It was not long before the situation for the home side got worse. York kicked from their 22 the follow up and chase was poor, the visitors were able to bring the ball back into the 22, desperate York defence resulted in a penalty conceded and captain Archie Fothergill yellow carded. Driffield opted to kick to touch, won the line out but although the catch and drive was well defended, they put the ball down the back line and used the extra numbers to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. 0-8 after 7 minutes

Despite the visitors having the majority of the ball and territory York were able to score next. From a scrum in their opponent’s 22 they moved the ball left and Shane Goulding touched down in the corner. Harry Shackleton missed the difficult conversion. The score now 5-8 after 13 minutes. Despite Driffield still monopolising possession York were able to add to their score. They pulverised the visitors at a scrum resulting in a penalty which was kicked to the corner and an unconverted try scored by Shane Goulding. York now led 10-8 very much against the run of play.

It was not long before Driffield were back in the home side’s 22 where they conceded another penalty and a yellow card to Joe Simpson. They kicked to touch, York defended the catch and drive and when the visitors put the ball down the back line they knocked on allowing York to clear. The home side then enjoyed the longest time on the ball in the game so far but could not make it pay. They then lost possession allowing Driffield to attack and a clever kick over the home sides back line bounced well for them, they collected and good support allowed them to touch down in the corner. The conversion was unconverted. The score now 10-15 after 30 minutes.

The sun disappeared and the rain came down driving the supporters into the stand. It stayed until the end of the game making handling and running rugby very difficult. The remainder of the half was played in the middle of the pitch with neither side able to make any inroads on the other. Driffield having had much the better of the half only had a narrow lead to show for it due to a combination of good York defending and poor execution by the visiting side.

The second half began as the first ended with the play in midfield before Driffield were able to take play into York’s 22, they went through several phases before the ball was lost and York cleared their lines and as a result of pressure the visiting side conceded a penalty and territory. From the line out on the Driffield 10 metre line York lost the line out and the chance was lost. York were coming more into the game despite injuries resulting in forwards having to play in the back line. More pressure resulted in a yellow card to a visiting player. York elected for the scrum but despite the ball going through several phases could not turn pressure into points.

They continued to take the ball to the visitors with most of the play now taking place in their half. Constant York pressure resulted in another yellow card to Driffield. Eventually the pressure told and with 15 minutes to go, centre Will Fordy managed to find a gap and score in the corner. Harry Shackleton could not convert. The score now level at 15 each. With 15 minutes left could York score again and take the victory? The belief was there, they kept up the pressure, a drop kick by Harry Shackleton just missed but from further pressure earned a penalty which was kicked to the corner. The throw in was cleanly taken and the forwards drove over the line and Ben Mills came up with the ball. The conversion was missed. With only a few minutes left could York hold on to their 20-15 lead ?. The kick off was taken and the ball retained before the final whistle went.

Overall, a game that York could easily have lost but it showed their grit and determination to keep in the game in the first half notwithstanding their lack of possession and territory and to win the game considering the conditions and the injuries they suffered. Not only a win but a bonus point for 4 tries. As a result they move up to third on the league. Next week York travel to Heath who have not started the season as well as expected on the basis of last season’s form but it is always a difficult place to come away with a win.

photos: https://www.yorkrufc.co.uk/photos/york-rufc-20-v-driffield-rufc-15-1118385.html