A BLACKBURN win, against their nearest rivals, has left the promotion destiny of the Ramsgreave Drive men in their own hands.

A superb display of attacking rugby and impeccable tackling, despatched a much vaunted Driffield side who left the field a shattered and shell-shocked team.

Having lost the toss, Blackburn had to play with the wind in the first half, knowing they had to post a big score to ensure victory. Yet they did not start well, with the game becoming scrappy until the deadlock was broken after 15 minutes.

A short lineout move allowed McHugh to plough towards the line, quick ball was fed to the backs, and from another set move, Greenwood blazed through the defence untouched, to score under the posts. It was excellent to see the dividend of many cold nights at practice paying off with such a vital score. Being 7-0 up, the crowd expected more, but it was Driffied who piled on the pressure, only desperate defence holding out the big Yorkshire forwards.

Fly half Steve Kerry then began to dictate the game, using the wind well to put Blackburn deep into the Driffield half. It was not long before the score was increased as Kerry jinked out of a tackle and launched a crossfield kick into the Driffield defence. Amazingly, the ball bounced between two defenders and straight into the hands of the advancing Haworth who unselfishly fed Payne. With 50 metres to go and only one man to beat, no one can stop the lightning quick South African, who scored in the corner.

The Yorkshire side were beginning to look ragged, and constant drives from the whole of the Blackburn forwards allowed the backs some excellent ball. Firstly Greenwood, then Payne and McAuley all went close. On top of this, when Driffield did get the ball some mighty tackling particularly from Crayston and Jarrold kept giving Blackburn more possession, forcing Driffield to concede two penalties which were slotted home by Kerry. With the score 18-0 at half time, Blackburn were under no illusions as to the enormity of the task ahead. This was made even more apparent when immediately after the kick off some slick moves by the Driffield backs allowed the winger into the corner, which the full back expertly converted.

At 18-7 it was game on, with 38 minutes left to play. But the Blackburn forwards responded well to the challenge, driving at the visitors with a ferocity that astounded them into making silly errors. One of these errors was punished by Kerry, kicking well to extend the lead to 21-7.

That is how the score stayed for the next 25 minutes with Blackburn running the ball back at a Driffield side that was quickly running out of ideas. Constant first-time tackles didn't allow Driffield into their game plan and panic led to mistakes, easing the pressure off Blackburn.

With one final throw of the dice, the strong Driffield centre crashed through the defence for the first time in the match, scoring under the posts to set up a tense finale. Yet Blackburn were up to the task and as another tackle put the ball out of play, the referee called it a day to send 300 supporters and 18 players deliriously home.

Player coach Kerry said afterwards: "I am absolutely delighted for the team. It was the best game of thinking rugby that the team has played, and the lads fully deserve the credit."

The last game of the season is on Saturday at Ramsgreave Drive, Blackburn (kick-off 3pm) against West Park. A win will ensure promotion to Thwaites North One and the team have asked for as many people as possible, fans of rugby or not, to come down and support their local side.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.