Revenge is sweet!

After a successful stint at propping up the bar for Boxing Day, the Buccs looked to start 2024 with one of our season’s hardest tasks; seeking revenge on Driffield’s 2nd team. Those of you may remember that the reverse fixture played in October taught the newly rejuvenated Buccs team a few hard lessons in defence, with the farmer boys storming in a 60 point victory and recording our only loss of an otherwise untarnished unbeaten season. It therefore promised to be a grudge match for Zig’s boys and boy did it deliver.

The hallowed turf on the first team pitch at Brantingham Park had somehow managed to withstand the recent barrage of wet weather and Driffield would kick the day off in near perfect rugby conditions. Fly-half Alfie Celella would collect the ball immediately and clear to set up a lineout on the halfway line. We would steal the lineout after an overthrow being collected by scrum half, Willingham who would get nicely sat down by the recent ex 1 cap Ionian, Driffield prop, Furbank, but we managed to maintain the ball and pull together some forward carries before seeking further territory in the Driffield half. Driffield would return the favour with a nice chip through from their 10 which would see a lineout just outside the Ionians 22. Unfortunately we would lose our prop, Huw to a knee injury which would come back to bite us later on in the half. Despite this, both defences were holding relatively strong and regardless of our initial control of the game, Driffield’s big forwards were starting to make some post contact metres which sucked in our defence and allowed the Driffield centre to break the deadlock after executing an over lap and touching down for an unconverted score 15m in from the corner around the 10 minute mark, 5-0, first blood.

Ionians weren’t to be deterred and led in both defence and attack by recently returned first team man, Allan Hudson meant we were able to pressure the Driffield backs. Our defensive line forced them in to a loose kick which unfortunately for them landed into our local whippet, Alfie’s hands just outside the half way line who carved his way across the face of the lacklustre defensive line. Alf managed to get on the outside of the Driff 13 which was no mean feat and executed a nice 2 on 1 to put young winger and starlet, Jez Oboh through for a 40m sprint to the try line for a score converted by the man who started things off, Alf, 7-5. Worth noting that Jez has scored in every game of senior rugby which he’s played in, including his 1st XV debut, serious talent. Again both teams would be at stalemate and it was a real battle of strong forward running. Allenby would be chopping the Driff giants like his life depended on it and Allan was putting in some terrifying carries which would return the favour so things were relatively well matched. Our potential downfall was the scrum. Driff love to scrum; every Driffield mother wants their son to grow up to become a prop, so their front row were the beneficiaries of a considerable weight advantage. The advantage would result in a series of penalties which would enable Driffield to secure dangerous territory in our own 22. Our defence was becoming tired and after some powerful carries from the Driff Mullet Man and the Driff 8 Michelin Man, they were in striking distance. I's were on the ropes and Driff smelling blood would look to take advantage of a 3 man over lap on the right hand side of the field. Unluckily for them, cometh the hour, cometh the Winch. A man who couldn’t even get into Pop World the night before, a man who had no sleep, a man who really was just a shell of himself after obliterating the men’s toilets with disgrace just minutes before, would cover himself in glory by picking out the Driffield pass and intercepting to gallop the remaining 95m under the posts. Fortunately we have CPR capacity on site at Brantingham Park, 14-5. Driffield would look for revenge and turn the tide in their favour before the half time whistle. The nicely structured backs plays combined with farmer one up rugby meant Driffield would run in 2 converted scores after our defence was guilty of tackling too high. 14 points would go unopposed and meant the tide was turning in Driff’s favour 14-19 and time for halftime oranges and a reset.

The 2nd half got underway with the only difference being in our injury ridden dugout, with all but one of our props still standing it meant a few changes were needed. If anyone in the Hull Ionians area knows of any front rowers who aren’t made of cottage cheese then please can you give them my number. We had to therefore go to uncontested scrums which unfortunately did take some of the ammunition out of Driffield’s armoury, but that’s just rugby in 2023/24 de, props are a myth etched in the history books along with raking and stamping - RIP (unless of course you’re a farmer). Driff were therefore fired up to prove a point and they would quickly find themselves in our own half. We failed to wrap around in defence after getting caught ball watching at a ruck which meant once again the Driffield centre would find space for an early score just 1 minute after the half time whistle. The score would go unconverted which meant the visitors now had a lead of 24 points to 14. After some passionate words from Gill (lovely to have you back brother), we looked to rectify our slip of concentration. Do not fear, this Buccs team has heart, and boys like Gilly, Matt Jeffery, Josh Dawson, Ry PLatten, Pinders all do the dirty work which allow the headline grabbers to shine. We managed to retain some possession from turnovers attained from our back row which put us within striking distance for a lineout 10m out of the opposition try line. Driff had their hands all over the ruck whenever they had opportunity and would be penalised for the offence. Quick thinking Willingham would take the tap and nestle under some fat lads to dot down to maintain his 100% scoring record in 2024, what a player. Obviously I he is a headline grabber and do none of that dirty work mentioned previously. Alf converted, 21-24.

Once again we found ourselves beneficiaries of our back row and their turnover abilities which would force Driff into their own half and allow us to marshall an attack down the right hand corner. We would be pushed out 5m from the try line. However, Allenby would opportunistically steal the Driffield lineout after they forgot to actually lift a player and saunter in the short 5 metres remaining with relatively no objection from the Driffield defence as I’m not sure they could quite believe what had happened. Conversion missed but the balance was now in our favour, 26-24. Safe to say the last 10 minutes were nail biting. Driff were camped in our half for the majority of them. Valiant defensive efforts from Allan, Jack Pinder and Pete McGlynn meant we were somehow able to keep the opponents out. Whenever they got close we would nick the ball and manage to exit to the halfway line to start the process again. Final act was a fitting turnover from Jack Pinder which meant we were able to knock the ball out for the final whistle. What a game. The boys were battered and bruised but come away with the rewards. Up the 'bloody' Buccs!

Notable mentions should go to everyone because everyone put in a tremendous effort. But highlights need to go to; Will Heylings for providing muscle in defence, eagerness to get the ball for hard yards and hitting every ruck with a passion for the unseen stuff, Jez Oboh for an outstanding shift in both attack and defence, getting us out of jail on more than one occasion whilst also skinning 4 or 5 men at a time, Allan Hudson who won’t be with Buccs for very long with that performance and Charlie Allenby who continues his outrageous run of form. It would also be remiss not to mention Zig’s father in law who sadly passed away over the Christmas period. A man who loved rugby and one who I’m sure will look down with pride at Zig’s passion for the game which he shows week in week out, that victory was for you Ziggy pal.