Driffield 38 - 15 Sheffield

Driffield RUFC 38 - 15 Sheffield RUFC

Starting Line Up - 14th September 2013

15. Alex Hill
14. James Twomey
13. Gareth Morley
12. Simon Tillyer (Capt)
11. Alistair Womack
10. Rob Holland
9. Rob Sturman

1. Tommy Marples
2. Will Savage
3. Ramsey Adamo
4. Richard Joel
5. Steve Pearson
6. Dave Ellis
7. Tom Womack
8. Mark Walker

Replacements
16. Ben Wade
17. John Dudley
18. Matt Hunt-Brown

After the poor performance away to Pocklington last week, Sheffield hoped for better things and initially all looked to be going extremely well. Following an initial exchange of kicks by the respective full backs Sheffield found themselves with a lineout on their 10 metre line which was then deemed to be not straight and Pocklington had a scrum. Sheffield exerted pressure at the scrum and flanker Tom Womack was able to force the turn over and after breaking clear of the first line of defence was able to hand on the his brother, left wing Ali Womack who scored close to the posts. Rob Holland could not add the conversion, but Sheffield led by 5 points to nil with just 3 minutes gone. This was quickly followed up with a try for centre Gareth Morley, again Rob Holland could not add the conversion and the lead was restricted to 10 pints to nil after 8 minutes.

At this point Sheffield suffered a series of inexplicable injuries, first loosing right wing James Twomey, hamstring, as the try was scored to be replaced by Matt Hunt-Brown. A few minutes later centre and captain, Simon Tillyer had to be replaced when he suffered an injury to his head (blood) and also a tweaked hamstring. Driffield took full advantage of the disarray in Sheffield’s ranks and scored under the posts on 17 minutes to reduce the arrears to 7 points to 10. Driffield added their second try after 29 minutes as hooker, Will Savage had to be replaced after sustaining an injury to his ribs, which will most likely keep him out of the game for some weeks. The try was unconverted, but Driffield now led by 12 points to 10. The disruptions to Sheffield’s structure appeared to affect their composure, and with Simon Tillyer returning to the field obviously still carrying the leg injury and well bandaged around the head they looked somewhat leaky in the centre of the park. Driffield added to Sheffield’s confusion and misery 3 minutes into stoppage time when they scored their third try, which they converted to lead 19 points to 10 at half time.

Sheffield came out in the second half and momentarily looked that there may resurrect their challenge when Tom Womack brook free again, but on this occasion the pass to his brother Ali went astray and Driffield brook away to score at the other end. Driffield failed to convert but led by 24 points to 10 after just 2 minutes of the half. Two minutes later Sheffield created another fine opportunity when Ali Womack brook away, but again the pass to Simon Tillyer was put down and the opportunity was lost. For the next 15 to 20 minutes Sheffield were again the better of the two sides and several more opportunities came their way, but not could be brought to fruition. Then with 24 minutes on the clock a pass which if it had gone to hand would have resulted in try to Sheffield. Unfortunately, the pass fell to Driffield’s right wing who sped the length of the pitch to score near the posts. The kick was converted and the lead was 31 points to 10.

Six minutes later Sheffield did manage a score through a push over try following a concerted effort from the whole team, but again they failed to convert and Driffield led by 31 points to 15. Driffield then rounded of the scoring after 36 minutes with the best try of the day, breaking out from their 22 metre with some very slick handling between a number of players, again the score under the posts. The conversion was a formality and the lead was out to 38 points to 15. The match was brought to an end by referee Dean Walker and Driffield had defeated a somewhat disorientated Sheffield team.