Champions Driffield get defence off to fine start

LAST year’s inaugural winners of the Papa John’s Community Cup, Driffield, opened up the defence of their crown with a comfortable 36-5 victory against Blackburn in Pool One.

It sets up a winnertakes-all tie at Kelleythorpe next weekend when York are the visitors, the group only containing three teams following the withdrawal of Harrogate on the eve of matchday one.

The side from Regional One North East were always in control on their own patch, opening up a healthy 15-0 lead at the break, before adding further gloss to the scoreboard after the interval.

Owen Scurry, Rob Rix, Joe Robinson, Jack Webster and Dan Ramsden were all on target for Driffield, this win no doubt igniting memories of last year’s triumph at Twickenham, which will now be a very obvious target.

Following Bridgnorth’s withdrawal from the competition, Heath and Rossendale will play off in a straight shoot-out next weekend to see who emerges from Pool Two, although there was plenty of drama in Pool Three.

Barnstaple backed up their hard-fought win over Launceston in round one by thrashing Banbury in Oxfordshire, back-rower Johnathon Carter bagEXETER ging four tries in a 59-22 win. Cam Johnson gave the visitors an ideal start when he sliced over in just the fourth minute, Carter claiming his first midway through the half.

Sam Roberts, Ross Swales and Mitchell Turner also got their names on the board, the five-point haul taking them to the top of the group.

It sets up a fascinating encounter against Oxford Harlequins next Saturday, whose 31-all draw at Launceston eliminated the hosts.

Sheldon Graddon, Ewan Fox, Harry Burn and Archie van Dijk all scored for Quins, and they’ll feel home advantage will be vital as they seek more silverware to add to their Regional One Midlands title.

Over in Pool Four, the team which Driffield beat in the 2023 final – Havant – became the first side to secure their spot in the final four of this year’s version.

They edged a thriller at home to Camberley, pipping their visitors 46-42.

In the most dramatic of finishes, Sean Shepherd scored the winning try deep into added time, cueing bedlam at Hooks Lane.

Havant are another side to have claimed promotion from Level Five this term and their bid for the double remains alive, courtesy of Shephard’s late show.

There were also two scores for Wes Dugan, one apiece from Jack Phillips and Sam Vince and a first half-effort from Shepherd.