Driffield RUFC U14 end of season tour to Pontefract last weekend.
The early exchanges were even with both sides testing their opponent’s defences. Driffield then produced a number of good phases to pressurise the Pontefract line. They were rewarded when James Leach crashed over to score the first try 5-0 Driffield. Pontefract then looked dangerous and produced some strong running breaks one of which was stopped by an excellent covering tackle by Will Kirby in his own 22.
Driffield backs also looked dangerous in what was becoming an increasingly open game and in the end achieved success when Cameron Macphee scored a good try, 10-0 Driffield
From the restart Driffield exerted more pressure and Will Burns forced his way over to extend the Driffield lead, 15-0.
Pontefract then responded with a try between the posts, following good strong running Driffield 15 Pontefract 7. This continued pressure resulted in another Pontefract try closing the gap to 15-12
Impetus swung back to Driffield and after sustained pressure George Crabtree showed his pace to score a try which Will Brigham converted 22-12 to Driffield.
Pontefract responded just before half time with a good running try which was converted leaving a half time score in a closely fought game, Driffield 22 Pontefract 19.
The second half set off in similar fashion to the first. Cameron MacPhee scoring the first points of the half with a good threequarter try Driffield 27 Pontefract 19. Pontefract again countered keeping the excitement going with a try.
Driffield’s lead was again restored following good team pressure with Alex Rowbottom scoring the try, Driffield 32 Pontefract 24. They moved further again with good passing allowing Mathew Sharpe to speed in for a well taken try on the wing.
Shortly after the restart Driffield went further ahead with Jack Parker running in from the half way giving Driffield a 42 -24 lead.
The scoring was completed by Will Burns scoring following a strong run.
Driffield ran out winners 47-24 in what was a very open exciting game. Both sides fighting hard and playing some very exciting rugby.
On Sunday it was Wath on Dearne
Both sides set off with enthusiasm and the first 15 minutes saw strong exchanges, hard running and equally firm tackling. The deadlock was broken when Will Kirby broke from his own half evading four tackles to score under the posts. Will Brigham converted 7-0 Driffield.
Driffield then pressurised the Wath line with breaks by a number of players resulting in Harry Linguard crashing over to score. Again converted. 14 – 0 Driffield.
The game continued to be hard fought with Driffield working very hard to hold the Wath attacks. Half time arrived with no further scoring.
From the start of the second half Wath exerted some pressure and were stopped just short on a number of occasions. They were rewarded when drifting over from close to the line. Driffield 14 – Wath 5.
During the next 10 minutes the game was close fought and ebbed and flowed until Driffield managed a sustaining period inside the Wath 22 metre line from a five meter scrum Will Burns picked up from the back of the scrum and drove over on the blind side. Will Brigham again converted. Driffield 21 Wath 5.
Driffield were increasingly gaining in the tight and were winning ball from a Wath Scrum. Driffield drove the Wath pack back and won the ball, it was swiftly moved to Cameron Macphee who showed his pace to round the Wath defence and score under the posts, again converted Driffield 28 Wath 5.
From the restart Jack Parker returned the ball and not for the first time showed his strong running and evading tackles along the touch line and sped in under the posts. Will Brigham again converting to complete and impressive 100% kicking display.
An extremely well contested game finished Driffield 35 Wath 5 giving this age group another well deserved undefeated tour.