NO-NONSENSE prop Josh Wrafter will be bidding to lead YMCA’s ‘bounce-back effect’ when they entertain top three side Driffield tomorrow at Laund Hill (2.15).
After last week’s disappointing 13-12 reversal at Wath-upon-Dearne, YMCA are desperate to get back to winning ways and retain top spot in Yorkshire I, but know they have to inflict only a second defeat of the season on Driffield to achieve that.
Wrafter was particularly impressive after coming off the bench last week and therefore the selectors have rewarded him with a starting spot tomorrow for what is bound to be yet another bruising battle against a big set of forwards.
The only other change to the side which lost at Wath comes on the wing, where Tom Bullock comes into the side in place of the unavailable Lloyd Bentley.
“We didn’t take our chances last week, and that is what ultimately cost us,” said coach Jody Shaw.
“We defended really well, and Wath didn’t actually cross our line, winning with a penalty try and a couple of penalty goals, while at the other end we scored two tries.
“The referee awarding a penalty try against us in the last minute cost us the match, but we know we had the opportunities to win the match earlier, and didn’t put them away, it’s as simple as that.
“Up to last week we have been really clinical this season, but we had three or four scoring chances and didn’t take them. We are better than that, and we shall need to better than that against Driffield.
“They are always a very tough side to play against, and gave us a real good smacking at their place last season (44-7).”
YM have named five substistutes of which only three will be on the bench.
YMCA: Johnson; Stead, Ryder, Barber, Bullock; Clayton, Wilson; Ste Dyke, Hill, Wrafter, Stu Dyke, Bell, Sharrock, Hodge, Whitehead. S Housley, Lumb, Leone-Maza, Neilly, Dyson.
