1st XV Report v Driffield RUFC – 11th April 2026
Sandal 57 Driffield 26
Sandal RUFC completed their 2025/26 season with an impressive 57-26 victory over Driffield in Regional 1 North East with the star of the nine try romp being captain, Will Henshall, who posted four tries of his own. Driffield proved to be a poorer side than expected but yet managed to score four tries with a bonus point. This was thanks to Sandal offering two give-away tries with attempts to unnecessarily off-load in the tackle, which failed and merely gave the visitors possession and the opportunity to score unopposed under the posts giving the side fourteen points, which Sandal should never have allowed.
Playing with the slope in the first half it only took Sandal two minutes to register their first try, when a kick ahead by Driffield was countered by Tom Hodson with a kick down field and from the ensuing break down the ball was spun out to Mac Walsh who crashed through several would-be tacklers to make a try his own. Tom Hodson added the conversion to give his side a 7-nil lead. Sandal continued to attack in the Driffield half until in the fifth minute George Jones forced his way over to score his season’s maiden try and with Tom Hodson converting the home side’s lead had moved to 14-nil. As the game progressed it soon became apparent that Sandal was far too strong for Driffield with two unconverted tries being quickly scored, first by Will Henshall after 15 minutes with a pushover try. Five minutes later with Driffield attacking in the home side’s half Declan Thompson intercepted, made 50 metres before being caught but handed on to a supporting Oliver Farrar who crossed to score his season’s maiden try. This score took Sandal’s lead to 24-nil and with a bonus point try being scored it meant that any danger of the Club being relegated had been removed. A ten-minute period then followed with an exchange of penalties and field positions until in 31st minute from a Sandal line-out in Driffield’s 22 the ball found Will Henshall in mid field and he broke free to score his second try under the posts and with a Tom Hodson’s conversion Sandal had an unassailable 31-nil lead. As half time approached the visitors progressed slowly into the home side’s territory and were awarded a penalty within easy reach of the line from where their wing forward took a tap and touched down in the top corner for his side’s first converted try but Sandal took a 31-7 lead into the break.
Sandal’s second half started well with a try after five minutes with Will Henshall taking possession and proving too strong for Driffield’s defence by breaking through to touch down under the posts, making it easy for Tom Hodson to convert to take his side’s lead to 38-7. Sandal continued to put pressure on their opponents until in the 51st minute in the Driffield 22 the ball passed along the back line where it was taken by Archie Milner who dummied before crossing for his side’s seventh try and with Tom Hodson adding the conversion the score had moved to 45-7. Almost immediately Driffield took play into the Sandal half from where an unconverted try was posted in the bottom corner to reduce their deficit by five. But then Sandal countered in the 60th with another score when from a successful line-out in the top corner and after several pick and go exchanges Will Henshall casually picked up from a tackle and touched down under the posts. Tom Hodson converted to take the score to 52-12. Then followed a 13-minute period during which Sandal lost their authority and as a result of some stupid play gave Driffield the opportunity to score two converted tries and an undeserved bonus point taking the score to 52-26 after 74 minutes. However, Sandal had the final say in the dying minutes of the game when Mihali Joannou put a deft kick ahead into the hands of Oliver Farrar who made ground and as he was tackled handed on to Oliver Wigglesworth who made no mistake in touching down to give Sandal a well-deserved 57-26 victory, which moved the side into the 7th league place as the season came to an end.
To sum up Sandal’s season must be considered a success with an improved league placing from a year ago together with winning the Yorkshire Cup. The players now have a break for some four months but will regather in August to compete again in the Club’s Centenary season.

Written by Howard Newton