Driffield RUFC’s director of rugby Patrick Burdass managed to take some positives from Saturday’s North One East defeat to Alnwick.
The Woldsmen slipped to an 18-0 loss at Kelleythorpe, but youngsters Will Brigham and Kyle Turner – the latest prospects off the club’s production line – made their first team debuts.
“Obviously the defeat was disappointing and our recent form has not been great, but it is important to look at the bigger picture,” Burdass told the Driffield Times & Post.
“If you’re only taking into consideration Saturday’s scoreline, then of course there isn’t a lot to be pleased about, but the fact that Will Brigham and Kyle Turner have made their first team debuts is brilliant and bodes well for the future.
“These are lads who have come through the junior sides here at Driffield, learned the game and progressed through the Colts to the seconds, and now they have their chance at first-team level.
“It’s fantastic to see the young guys coming through the age groups all the way to the first XV. This is exactly what we want to see happening, and long may it continue.”
Fly-half Brigham and flanker Turner, both 17, lined up alongside forwards Felix Nellen and Harrison Dodds for Saturday’s clash, taking the total number of players involved in the match aged 18 years of age or younger to four.
“It’s a great reward for all of the junior coaches at the club, who can see their hard work paying off when the youngsters they’ve worked with make it into the first team,” Burdass added.
“It shows that our junior system is working exactly as it should do.
“Will, did very well on Saturday in extremely difficult conditions.
“He was up against a very good number 10, yet he wasn’t phased, had a good game and ended up being named man of the match.
“The experience of playing in these games for the first team will be of huge benefit to the likes of Will and Kyle and will help with their development.”
Reflecting on his side’s overall performance on the day, Burdass accepted that the better team won the match.
“I can’t fault the effort or commitment from our players, it was a case of fine margins on Saturday, but Alnwick had that little bit more quality in a couple of key positions,” he continued.
“We did a lot right, we had to defend for long periods in the first half, and did so brilliantly to restrict them to a 3-0 lead at half-time.
“Unfortunately we switched off after the break and they got a try to take a 10-0 lead, and it’s a long way back from there when the playing conditions are as difficult as they were with all the rain.
“In the end, the better side won, and although we weren’t quite good enough, we weren’t a million miles away.”