Driffield 2nds travelled to Abbeydale to play Sheffield looking for their first win at Sheffield for many years. Mackie, Dinsdale, Pavlechenko, Williams, Murray and Cullen all came into the side.
Driffield started against a strong wind and were under constant pressure from an abrasive Sheffield pack and two strong running centres. Sheffield’s strong pack pushed Driffield over the try line from a driving maul and the touch line conversion put Sheffield 7-0 up.
Driffield were competing very well at the break down with Tom Williams, Josh Parker, Piggy and Jeremy Harrison superb all afternoon. Lucas kicked a penalty on Driffield’s only foray into the Sheffield half.
Driffield were dominating in the set scrum with Horner, Holland and Wilson excellent throughout.
Halftime came and Driffield would turn round with the wind behind them and only trailing 7-3 after a excellent defensive effort.
It did not take Driffield long to score. After a blind side move Driffield recycled the ball and Olly Cooper crashed over from five meters out – Lucas converted and Driffield were 10-7 up.
Driffield were now in command playing rugby in the right areas of the pitch and the forward pack were continuing to dominate the break down and the backs were showing some good hands when spreading the ball out to the wings in difficult conditions.
Alistair McClarron showed he still has some speed in his legs after bursting out of a tackle and galloping in from the half way line. Lucas again converted and the score was 17-7 with ten minutes left.
Sheffield threw everything at Driffield but the defence was not to be breached and after a fine break out from Driffield’s 22 Sheffield were penalised and the forward pack, who had been superb all afternoon, got their own back on the Sheffield pack with a push over try in the same corner as Sheffield.
Young Alex Cullen who was playing his first game since a broken hand was credited with the try, the conversion was missed and that was the final kick of the game.
Driffield stood up to a big and abrasive Sheffield pack and eventually wore them down and came out on top.
Josh Parker was terrific through out carrying plenty of ball and smashing the opposition backwards at every opportunity – Josh’s consistency through out the season will surely get him a chance in the first team.
After two good wins away, January fixtures show three out of four games will be played on home soil.