An overcast day disguised by some fascinating rugby from both teams. We awaited the first scrum of the match and York came away holding and in fact driving the opposition backwards, winning the first contest of the match. This is followed by a 50m break from Josh Griffin, with support to his left and right, unfortunately he is unable to link up with them. This is the start we had hoped, then an electric break from A.J. Peplinkski, he shrugs off a high tackle, cutting inside then straightening and heading towards the posts, giving Reece Dean an easy conversion.

Almost immediately Ben Dent carries strongly, breaking tackles, he then showed a rich skill offloading around his back, Skipper Toby Atkin on his shoulder to dash under the posts, a try converted by Reece Dean. A start we could only dream about, then a penalty 30m in front of the sticks, Reece Dean makes no mistake. York are soon back in the Scarborough 22m, a penalty is put into the corner, a catch and drive, I get it right this week as Michael Scholey tells me who scored the try from the back of the maul, his son William, correcting my error from a previous report. York are racing towards a bonus point, can we achieve this before half time?

Our line out is working well, with Sam Croft and Luke Stockton providing a stream of quality possession off the top, the set scrum is continuing to cause problems to the opposition as York nudge it forward.

Just as we seem to be dominating matters, Scarborough strike back and get some field position occupying the York 22m, Tom Harrison comes into first receiver cutting inside to score by the posts, he converts his own try. The home team are fired up and almost immediately are in the York 22m again, a penalty sets a line out into corner, Jake Lyon is at the back of the driving maul and scores the try, which could not be converted.

Another try from a driven line out, after Scarborough rejected the offer of a simple 3 points, this time the scorer is Jake Lyon, but the conversion is missed. Then almost a carbon copy as another driven line out, in a similar position this is scored at the back of the maul by Max Jeffries, again the conversion is missed, these missed conversions could prove to be expensive at the final curtain, which is developing into a tight encounter. Scarborough attempt a 55m penalty that just falls short.

There followed some kick tennis taking us into half time, both teams jockeying for field position, all to play for in the second half, as Luke Stockton is called away and has to be replaced

Scarborough 17. York 24.

York open the scoring in the second half Josh Griffin dashing down the right touchline, Will Fordy is on hand to score under the posts, this gives a cushion, as well as the bonus point, nervous supporters and family members chew their nails, it is to become even closer.
More penalties are awarded for numerous high tackles from both sides, yet another ball into the corner for the home team and yes, a catch and drive, Jake Ryan is the scorer, again the conversion is missed.

A dropped ball from the restart relieves the pressure on York, but again Scarborough come back and replacement James Long is on hand to score by the posts and Jodi Wakeham converts. Things are now very tight, scores are 29 Scarborough 31 York, we are looking for a grandstand finish, but there are more scores, as we move into the last 12 minutes, as Jonty Atkinson slips a tackle to score under the posts for Reece Dean to convert. As the clock runs down an important turn over of possession from “Antoine” Atkin, keeps York in the game, with 8 minutes to go intelligent kicking from Reece Dean giving valuable field position, as York hang in.

One last attack from Scarborough and a series of penalties against York see another line out in the corner, Eddie Erskine is at the back to score, it is converted by Jodi Wakeham.
What a great game finishing Scarborough 36 York 38, as Reece Dean, our Man of the Match hoofs the ball over the Club House. We all retire to the bar for a well deserved pint and a period of recovery.

I wish to thank both teams for a quality match, also to thank their Club for a lovely lunch and what a pleasure to be seated next to Mr John Guthrie, a former President of Scarborough Rugby Club, who entertained me.

Report by Carter Croft.