'DRIFF GET SOME BIFF'

After some results that haven’t gone their way in the last month & the Christmas break, The Buccs were back in new year action against local friends & rivals Driffield! The game was nearly called off as the pitch was deemed as cold and frosty as the Zgoda marital bed over the Christmas period but after an inspection by the management the game was deemed on!!!

The Buccs started well but as ever penalties and pedantic refs were getting the better of them, however against the run of play the 1st team milky bar kid Alfie Celella intercepted a wayward pass and ran over for the first try of the day, conversion slotted by Jacob Edwards! 7 - 0 The Buccs! This stirred the big, busty, bothersome Driff side into action and wave after wave of demented farmer boys came at the Buccs, after numerous dubious decisions by the ref, the Driff number 8 scored from a knock on at a 5 metre scrum! Conversion missed 7 - 5! For the next 20 minutes the game was all about The Buccs who took it to Driff at every given moment! Forwards and backs working in fantastic unison with The Pinder brothers & Jack “Jilly Gilly” Gillingwater leading from the front! After some great hands the ball reached the snaked hipped centre James Couttie who showed & go’d and went through a gap to score his 3rd try in two matches! Conversion missed 12 - 5! Would this stir Driffield to come back at the Buccs ? Actually no it wouldn’t and after more sustained pressure from The Buccs, number 8 / Christmas pudding Jack Walker smashed over after a cute pop up ball by scrum half & birthday boy Alex Edwards, try converted by J Edwards! 19 - 5 The Buccs! With a few minutes to go of the half The Buccs got a kickable penalty under the sticks! Pen slotted by Edwards again 22 - 5!

The half time team talk was about energy, bounce & keep doing what we were doing!

The second half started and it was all Driff & their powerful forwards! With quick succession Driff chipped back at the scoreboard with two fast tries! One converted, one missed! 22 - 17 and twenty nervy minutes to go! However all the chat under the sticks from The Buccs was about being positive & getting back to basics! Again the charge was led by the Pinder’s with the tubbier of the two Dan, giving a man of the match performance! After more pressure by The Buccs and sustained play in the Driff 22, Jack Walker cut another great line off a ball from mathematical genius Alex Edwards and Walker romped in for his second! Conversion slotted by Jacob Edwards again 29 - 17! Driff kept trying to attack but either knocked on or were smashed back from outstanding Buccs defence! From one error in their 22, Driff gave up a kickable penalty for holding on & Edwards again slotted with ease 32 - 17! The last five minutes was back & forth with both teams going at each other and every 50 / 50 decision going Driffs way! From a head scratching decision by the ref Driff got a penalty and kicked to the corner! The catch and drive maul moved on, their 9 broke away & jumped over the line! Conversion slotted 32 - 24! With a minute to go fly half Charles “Kirky” Kirk smashed the restart upfield and Driff had to play from their own try line! Fittingly the lean Pinder bother Jack made a thumping tackle & Driff dropped the ball, Jack Walker pounced on the ball then hoofed the ball out of play saying “have it” like a young leaner Peter Kay said in a TV advert many years ago!! Today the Buccs “had it in spades” it was a season best performance full of heart, bounce & character!!!

MOTM - D. Pinder with the backpack! As was noted today a true team player! Has played prop, hooker, 2nd row & back row this season and not moaned once (J Harding take note)! The lifeblood of the Buccs & we are better for it

FOTM - Jilly or Gilly but he was bloody good! Again he was discussed today and the question was asked why a back rower is playing 2nd row for the 1sts?? When Jilly is carving it up! Have to agree

BOTM - Coutts - (Alfie you were good and Coutts left) - scored a try! Great carrying, great defence & for two matches in row you’ve made back line look more cohesive!!

Bravo you three!