Driffield..........................17

West Park Bramhope....0

WITH little left to push for in the league West Park Bramhope finally succumbed to promotion-chasing Driffield on Saturday but only after a spirited effort.

West Park were the more impressive side in the first quarter and almost made the initial breakthrough.

Lock Tim Pearce burst clear and fed winger Jason Whitehead. He sprinted away but the pass was ruled forward.

The next West Park attack saw full-back Peter Lloyd enter the line at pace but his try-scoring efforts were halted when he was squeezed out into touch at the corner.

Driffield began moving the ball at every opportunity and from a move started on their own line, they opened up West Park until centre Richard Lye pulled off a try-saving tackle.

When West Park's Kiwi flanker Ralph Bennett took the visitors upfield, the ball was spun wide and winger Ian Melia was put through.

However, with an open try line at his mercy, Melia pulled up through injury and sadly had to be helped from the field.

This proved to be the turning point as the home side swept back and an Iveson penalty gave them the lead.

West Park's forwards were now struggling as Driffield took two scrums against the head and a sporadic breakout by Park coach and skipper Howard Greenwood eventually led to nothing. Park conceded another penalty and Iveson made it 6-0 at the break.

Courageous defence kept Driffield at bay as both scrum and line-out were now being dominated by the home side.

Another Iveson penalty was followed by the only try of the game, to winger McClarron, Iveson later popping over another penalty.

West Park's defence stood firm and held out Driffield until the final whistle.

West Park now look forward to their biggest game of the season on Saturday when they travel to Doncaster in the Yorkshire Cup semi-final.

The players should be motivated for this clash as it will see West Park reach the finals for the first time in the club's history should they be victorious.

Memorial game for Lee Draper

A RUGBY union match in memory of former West Park Bramhope player Lee Draper is being held at the club on May 8.

The Lee Draper Memorial match between West Park and Bramley, kicks-off at 4pm and tickets, including a buffet supper and disco, cost £5 (under 12s free). There will also be an auction of sport and leisure items at approximately 7.30pm.

A former player at West Park, Lee collapsed and died in January at the age of just 36, only months after being diagnosed with heart disease.

Lee, and his wife, Margaret, had become heavily involved in fund-raising for the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association as their six-year-old son, Ben, had been diagnosed with the eating disorder at just 18-months-old.

The genetic disorder - which affects one in 15,000 children in the UK - means those diagnosed are insatiably hungry, have learning dificulties and poor muscle tone.

Together with friends, Lee and Margaret, who lived in New York Lane, Rawdon, had held two annual charity balls to raise money to help the Prader-Willi Association find out more about the syndrome.

Bob Collins, a player at West Park and friend of Lee's, said: "Some people may have been acquainted with Lee in the past as he played rugby for West Park for many years and had a couple of seasons at Bramley RUFC.

"He was also a member of the Bradford Salem team which won the first Provincial Insurance Cup, held at Twickenham in 1991."

Anyone wanting to donate items for auction or who wishes to make a donation can contact West Park on 0113 2671437.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.