Driffield Tour

Report by Tariq

The King is Dead, Long Live the Queen, Jimi Hendrix King.
 
As another season draws to a close for the team, they once again burst over the Pennines, shimmied through Castleford and Pontefract, cut left at Hull and stopped shy of Scarborough at the wind swept leisure resort of Skipsea.  The theme of this year’s tour was “Kings & Queens”.
 
Tremendous thanks go to Sarah Chatterton for the oft thankless task of organising a tour for our young cherubs.  She was ably assisted in her efforts by yours truly PC TC and Sarah Thompson.  The Chattertons pitched up in Skipsea early on Friday afternoon and waited for the players to arrive.
 
Players, parents and groupies arrived throughout Friday afternoon and evening and many settled down in the bar to watch Sale on the box.
 
Saturday’s festivities included an early morning swim for many of the lads, a scenic walk to the beach and an impromptu game of touch rugby where even Oggie and TC managed to get on the score sheet. Saturday evening saw the hardy camped outside the Chatterton caravan keeping warm as they BBQ’d away until sunset.  Since childhood we’ve grown up with tales of the witching hour and sure enough as the sun set of a cold Yorkshire evening, various men in drag were seen entering the Chatterton caravan (“ahem – cough, cough”).  Keen observers would also have spotted a couple of Elvis’ and Jimi Hendrix.  One particular coach in a dandy two piece granny suit and hairy legs to boot looked a right killer Queen.  This raucous mob soon descended on the bar and what happened in their remains legend.  Suffice it to say should video footage ever hit Facebook a certain lady living at the end of Pall Mall would no doubt say, “One is not amused”.
 
Sunday’s Driffield U13 tournament was a five team affair including our friends from last year West Park Leeds, Yorkshire U13 champions Sandal, “Geordie Boys” Blaydon and our hosts Driffield with each side playing each other in a straight league.
 
The opening game saw Sandal edge the Blaydon Geordie boys 17-12 to set the pace.  Manchester were up next against West Park Leeds, who we remembered well having contested two tight games against them on last year’s Scarborough tour.  Manchester played with the wind at their backs for the first half and a classy George Chatterton break from 12 saw him glide through the WPL defence to open up a 7-0 lead following a successful conversion.   Mattie Houghton had a stormer of a first half leaving the WPL pack all shook up and was held up at least twice short of the line.  The half closed honours even at 7-7, with Manchester’s defence holding a tough WPL pack.  The second half saw Manchester camp in the WPL half the entire time with Manchester’s expansive game eventually catching WPL a man short out wide as Bloody sneaked in to take the game 12-7.  Despite all the pressure, WPL could have struck at the death with a kick and chase had Alex Macauley bravely not gone down on the ball and snuffed out the chance.  Mention must be made of Mike Armstrong’s valiant efforts in the game at cost to his own well being – watch out ‘cos he’s a real devil in disguise.
 
Home side Driffield took on Sandal next.  They played very well but were eventually outdone by the Sandal flyer on the wing and succumbed 19-0.  It is worth noting Sandal won the Yorkshire U13 Cup in March beating Huddersfield 48-7 in the final to add to their U11 and U12 crowns from previous years.  Manchester next clashed with Blaydon in more ways than one as both teams wore red with only Manchester’s white trim and Blaydon’s black trim setting them apart.  The opening exchanges saw honours even with a fine Tommo run cut short.  He looks to be on the way back after his knee problems and with a bit of cricket to keep him in trim over the summer, we need to see the Terminator back to his best come September as he’s our real good luck charm.  However, Manchester were not to be denied as Luke James powered over to leave Manchester with a 7-0 lead at half time.  The second half saw Blaydon up their game and really kick on but alas they were denied by a Ramboesque tackling performance by Ellis ‘Robbo’ Robson; unlike Samson his strength and swagger have been restored now he’s had a No 2 haircut and Blaydon were given no quarter by super Robbo and his tackling side-kicks Tom ‘Baldy’ Balderstone and Harry Lewis.  Fine wing play from Freddie Clarke kept the Blaydon wingers quiet with one notable crunching tackle making the crowd “oooooh”.  A weaving Luke James run, saw the ball shipped to Tommo who sent JJ clear to touch down in the corner and wrap the game up 12-0.
 
The next match saw WPL ease past Driffield 21-0 with their centre in full flow.  Driffield had started brightly but their game plan was disrupted by a long injury break to one of their players who was eventually helped off the field by the local ambulance services.  We wish him a speedy recovery.
 
The next match saw an unbeaten Manchester take on an unbeaten Sandal with the winner likely to take the tournament cup.  Sandal’s team is notable for their huge prop (he makes Daz look small) giving their scrum a significant edge and for a flyer of a winger who can beat any man or back three given a chance.  However, it was Manchester who drew first blood as a terrific break by Luke down the left hand touch line almost lead to the opening score.  Manchester’s pack was put under pressure and were often seen to give a yard as the ball was put in.  They have rarely come across a forward pack this big and will have to learn to adapt their game.   A crashing, smashing collision by Robbo saw another long break as a Sandal player received medical attention.  He too was helped from the field by medical staff, who we applaud for their prompt and professional care throughout the day.  Sandal were quicker to shake off the cold after the long interruption and took a 14-0 lead thanks to their winger.  The game looked beyond Manchester at 0-14 but a the coaches gathered the boys in at half time and went through what was required in the same calm and assured manner the parents have become accustomed to.  The second half saw Manchester dominate possession and territory as they realised it’s now or never and used their greater team ethos to pressure the Sandal line.  Time and time again they went close and eventually a magnificent team effort saw Alex “AJ” Jones ghost past the Sandal defence and release George to go over to make the score 5-14.    A successful conversion brought the final whistle and saw the game lost 7-14.  The game was lost but pride and honour remain intact. No doubt Sandal will cross our paths again over the coming years and along with Macclesfield, those are the games that will stretch us most - we’ll be ready next time and we will rock you.
 
The following game saw a rampant Blaydon gain their first win of the day over WPL. Rich reward for their cheerful demeanour and run the ball ethos.  Manchester’s last game of the day was against home club Driffield, who had played with great effort and courage throughout the day.  The last game saw the boys at their fluid best and the opening try was set up by a chip kick out to the wing by Oggie (at this point one of the coaches who shall remain nameless but his son does play for England sighed in despair and muttered about keeping it in hand).  Ollie “OJ” Johnson burst onto the ball and eased home for the opening try (at this point all the other coaches turned round to aforementioned coach with much finger pointing and mick taking – hehehehe).  Each tour is captured in a moment and that moment duly arrived next  as Robbo released Tom Laidlaw who ran a tremendous line and powered in  from 10 yards.  Tom’s try did receive the loudest cheer of the day and I’m sure the “tale of the try” will keep in him free drinks well into his 50’s.  New boy Harry C was not to be left behind and rampaged home from 20 yards through the entire Driffield pack on his back screaming I want to break free!  A nice first try for Manchester and I’m sure he’ll play a big role in the team next year once he’s been integrated fully.  Another Robbo try saw Manchester to half time with a comfortable lead.  The second half saw a repeat performance with early scores by Luke and Tommo making the game safe.  There was just enough time for the “prop-fest” to continue as Danyal Abbas collected a £150 try bonus going over from a Luke James pass.  Poor old Foxy had to watch glum as a hound dog as he took a turn to sit out the one match all year in which all the props all scored!  Harry Lewis scored Manchester’s 8th try to see out the match.  There was even time for a cameo appearance by Patrick Chatterton who alas got nowhere near the ball.
 
The next game saw local rivals Sandal take on WPL.  Any kind of WPL win would see Manchester crowned champions but it was not to be and Sandal eventually ran out winners by 5 tries to 2.  The last game saw a ding dong affair in which Blaydon edged Driffield to wrap up the tournament.  Congratulations to Sandal as the winners and our other fellow teams West Park Leeds, Blaydon and Driffield on some fine and entertaining rugby.  Manchester came second on the day but in terms of fun, heart, spirit and joie de vivre we are the champions.
 
Presentations were made and the Manchester convoy headed back home.
 
Our hosts for the Sunday tournament were Driffield RUFC and we would like to extend our thanks to club President Tim Cooper, Driffield RUFC, volunteers and fellow teams on a splendid day’s rugby.