Driffield travelled up to Grassington to play Wharfedale with a much changed line-up from the week before.
With cry-offs Friday evening only 15 players could be mustered for the hardest game of the season. Conditions were appalling with driving wind and rain making open rugby very hard.
Pettinger, Stumpy and Rafter came into the forward pack and Moore played at full-back with Watson at scrum-half.
Driffield lost the toss and had the elements in their favour for the first 40 minutes.
Again Driffield started well – good play from Pettinger and Rafter got Driffield a penalty and Lucas kicked it, 3-0 Driffield.
Driffield were now on top and constant pressure was being applied to Wharfedale’s line.
Harrison was again leading from the front and Falkingham and Rafter were also getting round the park and carrying well. Driffield had three scrums five metres out, but pressure did not convert to points.
Wharfedale then broke and scored under the posts 7-3 Wharfedale, this was the only time Wharfedale got in the Driffield 22.
Driffield then kicked to the corner and from a driving maul ground was made – Watson then scampered blind and scored a nice try out wide – this is his second try in 12 months at Wharfedale and the total yardage covered for both tries is six metres! Lucas converted 10-7 Driffield.
For the remaining ten minutes Driffield were camped on Wharfedale’s line but good defence kept the scores the same.
After the break Driffield were expecting a tough time – but for the first 15 minutes Driffield were camped in Wharfedale’s 22. Again one five metre line-out went astray and three scrums five metres out could not be converted.
Lucas got a yellow card for a professional foul and Driffield were down to 14 men.
Wharfedale kicked a penalty to bring the scores level then after more pressure kicked another penalty, 13-10 Wharfedale.
Driffield were struggling to get out of their half and after a box-kick from Wharfedale’s scrum-half their winger chased it down and scored. Driffield 10 Wharfedale 18
Driffield never gave up and for the remaining 10 minutes were pushing hard into the Wharfedale half. Watson was superb at scrum half marshalling the forwards, and everyone in the pack played well.
Backs had very little ball but again the defence was superb and Wharfedale had to result to kicks to break through.
The boat race after the game was as keenly contested as the game with the backs beating the forwards hands down.
Men of the match Ed Falkingham and Jem Harrison were both superb at slowing down Wharfedale ball and both made some hard yards.
Special mention to Rafter who played out of position and had a good game.
15 Moore, 14 Newborn, 13 Magill, 12 Russell, 11 Short 10 Lucas 9 Watson. 1 Pettinger 2 Brummfield 3 Greetham 4 Cooper Olly 5 Williams 6 Rafter 7 Fawkingham 8 Harrison.