These two teams in the recent past have been in the vanguard of Yorkshire’s finest second teams. Their previous match ups have provided tight, gritty, but entertaining games played in the right spirit.
Unfortunately both teams have found themselves at the bottom of the table of late.
The dark damp afternoon ensured that handling would be difficult and that set piece and discipline would be key in deciding the outcome of this game.
The opening period saw an even exchange in territory, however Dale’s indiscipline began to count against them. Slowly the visitor’s scrum was gaining the ascendancy and the Greens found themselves in their own 22 defending. From a scrum Driffield drove off the base, right , and scored under the posts to open the scoring, 0-7 after 12 minutes.
Straight from the kick off , left, into coffin corner, Driffield tried to exit with the boot. An excellent chase and subsequent charge down saw Alfie Roddis immediately reply for the Dalesmen. Score 5-7 after 13 minutes.
The Foresters seemed to take confidence from their last score and were beginning to play more in the opposition’s half. The educated boot of Will Bell steering them around the park.
The Greens were awarded a penalty near the visitors’ ten metre line. They elected to kick for touch and set a maul from the catch and drive at the line out. With Driffield on the back foot a series of forward drives at close quarters eventually saw lock Morgan Davies cross the white wash. This score put Dale ahead on the twenty third minute 10-7.
Driffield took up the challenge immediately through their mobile back row and elusive outside backs.
Sustained pressure from a line out in Dale’s twenty two combined with several missed tackles saw Driffield score wide right through their back row.
The score now twenty eight minutes in went to 10-12.
Both sides were unable to add to the score before halftime.
Both teams in the second half appeared to be a little more disciplined and cohesive. This led to a stalemate, for twenty three minutes, in the new half. The stalemate was broken by Standoff, Will Bell, who slotted a drop goal to take the game to its closing quarter to 13-12.
As time edged on play became more nervy and accuracy eluded both teams. This was until Driffield secured a scrum just in the Foresters twenty two, left of the posts. Their dominant scrum allowed them to go quickly off the base and after several quick rucks they were able to score out on the right wing.
This left the score at 13-17 , with 13 minutes of play left.
The young Foresters went straight down the other end and after sustained pressure crossed the white wash, unfortunately they were held up .
With a yellow card given to the visitors on 35 minutes it seemed inevitable that the Greens would nick the game. However passing inaccuracy combined with the conditions counted against them and Driffield saw the game out.
Next week the Foresters are back at home to take on Billingham 2s.
Starters: –
1, T. Whitehead 2, S. Holden 3, J. Bentley 4, S. Middleton-Smith, 5. Morgan David 6, J Charnley 7, J. Beecroft 8, Benson 9, J. Reeday 10, W. Bell 11, A. Roddis, 12, J. Kay 13, L. Craven 14 M. Robinson 15 O. Hall
Replacements: – 16, S. Mason,17, J Howson.