A bright day was made for running rugby and that is what was on show. Driffield picked the same team that had won last week at Heath except that Saddler did not play and Furbank was on the wing. The bench consisted of Pettinger, Bell and Hamilton.
Castleford had 12 changes from the programme and it soon became evident that at present, they are unfortunately in disarray. It is always sad to see the decline of a fine old club, who in their day were the scourge of so called ‘first class’ clubs, when they met them in the Yorkshire Cup. It is to be hoped that they reorganise and come back to their former glory.
Driffield have been criticised this season for slow starting, but this complaint could not be levelled against them this Saturday. Right from the whistle they were harrying Castleford and showing that the speed of the backs in comparison to Cas was going to be a vital factor. The first score was by right wing Furbank after a flowing movement, which Kitching could not convert.
He remedied this error and kicked with length and precision for the rest of the game. On six minutes Furbank again scored from a Kitching break, for Kitching to convert. D 12 – C 0.
Four minutes later Wright made a good pick up from a Cas mistake and ran 40 metres to go under the posts. Kitching converted.
McClarron was being unlucky on the left wing as a series of ill directed passes kept him off the score sheet. Tatham-Brugh had a nasty head wound and was replaced by young Pettinger. This match was an ideal opportunity to give him an extended run and he took his chance well.
On 20 minutes a sweeping movement sent in Furbank on the right who was able to go near the posts for Kitching to convert. D 26 – 0.
Driffield had now earned their bonus point. Four mins later a lineout was won by Dervey who sent in Boreman to score. Kitching converted. After another two minutes Smith came into the line to send Furbank in for another try which the conversion was missed. D 38 – C 0.
A clearance kick was caught by McClarron who passed to captain Wright who went in under the posts for Kitching to convert. D 45 – C 0.
Just on half time Havler broke and slipped a pass to Wright who scored for Kitching to convert. D 52 – C 0.
As it was to transpire, Driffield were to double this score in the second half as Castleford were completely outclassed. Driffield brought on Hamilton for Reilly and scrum half Bell, allowing Harding to move to fly half instead of Lucas.
The flow of points continued after a very short revival by Cas, who made some ground through their forwards. Pettinger then scored but Kitching failed with the kick.
It was now McClarron’s turn to get on the score sheet after a good movement, following a heel against the head. Kitching converted.
Driffield moved a penalty which resulted in Smith giving the scoring pass to Furbank, however Kitching hit the post with the conversion. D 69 – C 0. It was not long after that another heel against the head resulted in a McClarron run and an inside pass to the backing up Hamilton. Kitching converted. D 76 – C 0.
From a kick ahead, Pettinger got the ball and from 40 metres held off a number of tackles to go over the line. Kitching converted. D 83 – C 0.
The game had now developed into a rout, whenever the score mounts like this, the receiving team seems to get no luck and all the decisions seem to go against them. Bell now caught their scrum half Thomas in possession and the ball was moved left for McClarron to score and Kitching to convert. D 90 – C 0. From a given away five metre scrum the ball was moved left again to Smith who scored and Kitching converted. D 97 – C 0.
It was now just a question whether Driffield would get over the 100 mark, and right on full time they did. Smith and Kitching made the running for yet another try for Furbank which Kitching converted.
It is difficult to be analytical about a game such as this. Driffield were so much faster in the backs and Kitching was in such fine form with the boot. Castleford were not able to tackle the Driffield backs when it was opened out and many more tries could have been scored if all the opportunities had been taken. At least four over ambitious reverse passes were dropped, but you cannot blame the backs for trying this in such a game.
The forwards won ball at will, the lineout was dominated by John Dervey and Boreman and credit must be given to hooker Whitfield for his accurate throwing in. All played their part particularly the back row; whist Pettinger had a dream home debut. He must think this game is so easy!
This week, back to reality. Bridlington away. Now this will be a far tougher test. A word of sympathy to Castleford. Surely this is a good time to turn the corner and start the hard climb back to better times.