Driffield 10

Wharfedale Foresters 49

The Wharfedale Foresters faithful travelled many miles and crossed several time-zones to Driffield RUFC in the far reaches of the East Riding where a bright breezy day and a fabulous pitch produced conditions well suited to their open, attacking style of play.

After 80 minutes, the Foresters had added to their 100 per cent start to their league season with a fine victory and another performance full of flair and exuberance.

Receiving the ball at kick-off, the Foresters' forwards were quickly in their stride with strong carries and a good offloading game that gained ground and provided the platform for Ralph Wellock to break a number of tackles and score the first try wide.

Unfortunately the Foresters uncharacteristically emulated Driffield's tackling in midfield and their outside centre bounced through to score almost immediately from the restart to make it 5-5.

This setback energised the Foresters and some excellent handling across the backs resulted in them being stopped just short of the Driffield line, but they got a penalty which was kicked by Rory McNabb.

The Forester forwards came to the fore with a period of sustained pressure on the Driffield goal line. Instead of spreading the ball wide they showed they can dominate an arm-wrestle up front and second row Matthew Colgrave crashed round the side of a ruck to score, making it 13-5 to the Dalesmen.

The Foresters dominated the rest of the half but some resolute defence from Driffield kept them at bay until Wellock finished off a sublime backs move to score his second try converted by McNabb. Wharfedale went into half-time leading 20-5.

The Foresters played almost the entirety of the second period in Driffield’s half; outstanding rucking and driving play combined with slick handling across the backs resulted in Wellock completing his hat-trick and Will Lawn registering his second three-try haul this season.

Wellock showed his speed and strength to break tackles and outstrip defenders whilst Lawn used his quick thinking to score a couple of tries from quick tap penalties.

By the start of the final quarter The Foresters were 42-5 ahead and had one more ace up their sleeve. Ben Blackwell, now on at centre, showed pace and strength to crash through the weary Driffield defence to score a converted try.

Driffield had the final say with a try in the dying minutes; their forwards pounded away at the Foresters' line and eventually crossed to make the final score 49-10.