Rugby girls make history at Kelleythorpe
History was made at Driffield Rugby Club when the club’s Under 16 girls side played its first ever fixture on home soil.
The Woldswomen played Selby at Kelleythorpe in front of an enthusiastic crowd on Sunday 13th November.
Charlotte Sutton had the honour of scoring Driffield’s first try on home turf, before they grabbed a second late in the game.
DRUFC Ladies head coach, Richard Mitchell-Williams said: “It was a fantastic day for the club.
“We said when we set up our ladies section that we have to produce our own talent to ensure its future and to see that coming to fruition now is great.
“Emily Dean, Lauren Fairbank and Chris Shipley have done a fantastic job in promoting our girls secotion”
It was Selby who got off to a stronger start with two early tries under the sticks, both converted by their number 12.
Driffield responded with some powerful attacks and a series of dominant tackles from Izzy Backhouse and Jess Hodgson with Kaitlyn Scott driving the opposition into touch.
Following a well-placed kick into the corner, Driffield successfully moved the ball along the line with Sutton breaking through to score.
This boosted the hosts’ confidence and the girls came back fighting in the second half.
Strong and consistent rucking by Bethan Shipley and a solid front row from Jess Hobson, Kelsey Lavelle and Olivia Wilmot-Grabham, coupled with good distribution by scrum half Laura Pilmer, led to a very competitive second half.
The backs defensive line held firm thanks to Elise Mathers and Daria Cheraghi, but constant Selby pressure built, seeing them score two more tries in the corner.
In the last quarter of the game, Driffield mounted sustained pressure with some forceful drives forward from Sophie Shipley and Emma Stabler and excellent line-outs from Tabby Dean.
After being held up over the line, a handling error by Selby led to another opportunity for Driffield to score a well deserved try.
The girls left the field with their heads held high after this very encouraging performance with a lot of positives to take forward to their next fixture, a trip away to Scarborough.
