As the skies cleared and the earlier rain disappeared, York played host to their old friends from the coast. After a disappointing outing at Yarnbury two weeks ago, York had a point to prove and needed to put in a winning performance. Unfortunately the home team were unable to live up to their potential as silly errors, lapses in concentration and disappointing application meant they were soundly beaten.

York were unable to stay the right side of the referee’s whistle in the early exchanges as they gave away a number of penalties at the breakdown. From a penalty within kicking range, the Scarborough fly half Harrison put the first points on the board. The visitors extended their lead on 10 minutes as an excellent clearing kick by Harrison allowed Scarborough to steal York’s lineout ball and move the ball through hands to score in the corner. An equally impressive conversion by Harrison, gave Scarborough a 0 – 10 lead. Another simple but effective backs move by the visitors gave them their second try ten minutes later. The conversion missed, York were down 0 – 15.

Further indiscipline by York at the breakdown allowed Scarborough to stretch their lead to 18. York did manage to put together some phases as the first half drew to a close and following a well worked rolling maul from a lineout, moved the ball through hands to allow Singleton to score. Although the conversion was missed, York had narrowed the score to 5 - 18. The visitors however had not finished their point’s accumulation for the first period and a rare mistake by the York scrum allowed Scarborough to break blind, the winger showing good skill and pace to kick through and score. At half time; York 5 – Scarborough 23.

York needed to start the second half with an increased precision and application; unfortunately they were reduced to 14 men within two minutes as the debutant hooker Greenfield was given ten minutes for a blatant tip tackle. The reduction in number was felt at scrum time as the usually solid set piece struggled to cope. York were penalised again and Harrison punished York by stretching the visitors lead to 5 – 26.

Overall, York looked decidedly average and lacked any continuity or control. When the home team did gain possession it was too easily given up by a lack of precision at the breakdown or simple knock-on’s. That said, there were some positives, full back Davies made a number of good breaks from broken play and the returning Singleton showed his strength with strong, direct running. As the game closed, the ever reliable Fox was a rewarded for his efforts with a try that Dawes converted. However Scarborough had the final word, scoring their fourth try and closing the game at 12 – 31.

The visitors showed good skills throughout and apart from a 15 minute period in the second half had matching intensity. Most impressive was the simple effectiveness of their backs, well marshalled by fly half Harrison. York need to show this level of composure if they are to be competitive in this league. Next week they travel to league leaders Bradford and Bingley, who although beaten today away at Hullensians, have been the form team so far this year.