York travelled to league leaders Scarborough after two impressive performances against Cleckheaton and Bradford & Bingley. The starting line-up had three injury enforced changes with Ben Dyson-Dent, Chris Fox and Lewis Hannibal replacing Liam Hessay, Oscar Bell and Freddie Smith respectively.

York kicked off and a scrappy start didn’t really improve. York looked lethargic and there were lots of handling errors by both teams. Neither side were able to find any consistency with numerous handling errors in slippery condition. An uneventful half finished 6-3 to Scarborough with Tom Ratcliffe kicking 2 penalties for the hosts and Declan Cusack replying for York.

The second half was a completely different story. York were the first to attack, repelled by good Scarborough defence. A Scarborough turnover just inside their own half allowed Jordi Wakeman to kick over the York defence and Jonty Holloway outpaced the York defence to score in the corner. A difficult conversion was missed 11-3 to Scarborough.
Scarborough were now on the front foot and causing York multiple problems. After a series of line outs, Scarborough won a scrum 10m out in front of the posts. From the scrum Billy Parker powered over under the posts with Tom Ratcliffe adding the conversion. 50 mins gone and Scarborough were 18-3 in front.

The game was still being played in the York half and it wasn’t long before York infringed again and Ratcliffe added 3 more points. 21-3. With 15 minutes to go York decided to turn up and play with the pace and intensity we had seen in recent weeks. It was now Scarborough’s turn to defend.

On 65 mins Declan Cusack kicked to the corner giving York an attacking line out. Good defence by Scarborough held York but from a resulting scrum Lewis Hannibal powered over with Declan Cusack adding the conversion. 21-10. York were now controlling possession and the penalty count was mounting against Scarborough as their defence was stretched. York were retaining possession and a good move from the backs saw the ball moved wide to Rob Hodges who finished well in the corner. Declan Cusack added a difficult conversion to bring the score back to 21-17 with 6 minutes to play. Game on.

Almost immediately from the kick off York regained possession, Declan Cusack spotted space behind the Scarborough defence and a beautifully weighted kick picked out Sam Elliot who outpaced the Scarborough defence to score in the corner. Again Declan Cusack added the difficult conversion to take York into the lead 21-24.Scarborough were not finished and in the dying minutes attacked the York line. However, the York defence held firm to close out the match. 21-24.

Next week York entertain Percy Park and Scarborough travel to Durham City.

Photos : https://www.yorkrufc.co.uk/photos/scarborough-rufc-v-york-rufc-19th-october-2019-920167.html