Penrith knew before they set off for their game at Driffield it would be a make or break affair, do or die, and anything less than a win would see them end the season out of the top two spots. They did lose and although it is mathematically possible they can finish second it is unlikely things will go their way on the final day of the season. They lost to a better side on the day, the home side's size and strength saw them home, for once it was not down to the Cumbrian's poor away form, they could absolutely not have given any more on the day.
Their build up to the game was not ideal, they lost talisman Ryan Johnson on the morning of the game when he could not shrug off problems with a trapped nerve in his back, Joe Gutteridge stepped up into the squad and no more could have been asked of the young man on his debut game. To add to the situation coaches David Preston and Ian Vortman were held up in traffic and didn't get to the ground until half an hour before kick off with injured captain Ed Swale taking charge of the big match warm up.
The game started at a frantic rate, both sides were looking to play at pace and they were testing each others defensive qualities and running into brick walls. Driffield looked dangerous in possession but their handling at this stage of the game was letting them down, on a number of occaisions promising positions were not taken advantage of as the ball was spilt.
Penrith had a lucky escape when a flowing home move ended with a kick and chase and the ball was grounded just over the dead ball line, they then had to defend an attacking lineout and just kept the home side out when the ball was held up over the line. This resulted in a 5m scrum and again the Driffield looked good in attack until the ball was dropped and Penrith could win the scrum and clear their lines.
The visitors were also posing problems, George Graham had some probing runs, Matt Allinson and James Bousfield were making progress behind the scrum and they took the lead after 25 minutes. They kicked a penalty to the home 22 and won the lineout, after a forward drive the ball came to Allinson at stand off who made a strong run to make the half break, Olly Gutteridge made ground and then the home side were penalised for handling in the ruck. Allinson knocked the penalty over for a three point lead.
The game was wide open and looked as if it could go either way, Driffield appeared to have broken through the visitor's defensive line on their 22 and a try looked imminent when the referee pulled them back for crossing. Penrith were looking to get to the break with their slender lead intact but conceded a penalty that was kicked to the corner. The home eight secured the ball and looked to drive the maul but Penrith's pack held firm, they then released the ball and ran a clever move down the narrow side saw them score a try in the corner, that was followed by an excellent conversion off the touchline. There was a little added time left and play was restarted, Penrith had the put in to a scrum in a good position and looked to come straight back but that's not how it worked out, they lost the ball and were pleased not to concede a second try and had Jon Fell to thank for a desperate covering tackle.
Penrith started the second half well, they had a period of play on the home line and were unlucky not to come away with something, Joe Gutteridge got himself over the line but was unable to ground the ball, they had had the throw into the lineout in the corner but could not muscle their way over the line. From further out Graham cleverly wriggled through close to the breakdown and set Brad Taylor away, he appeared to be in the clear but the cover just got to him.
The game then began to perceptibly change, the home side were that little bit bigger and stronger and they began to take a bit more stopping going in contact, their handling improved and they also started to play the ball out of contact and slowly but surely got up a real head of steam.
They scored three well taken tries in quarter of an hour as Penrith were rocked back on their heels, what looked as if it was very likely going to be a tight result quickly altered and the visitors had a 24-3 advantage and a bonus point and it was all over.
Penrith to their credit did not cave in in the final ten minutes and fought back to score a converted try that made the scoreline look respectable. They had possession on the home line after winning the lineout when a penalty was kicked to the corner, after the driven maul was halted Penrith had several pick and goes before big Will Morgan eventually forced his way over.
The Penrith players had given their all but this was not their day, it was also not the day they lost their promotion push, that could be traced back to places like Bradford, Malton and Bridlington where their away day blues had caught up with them.