York travelled to the salubrious Silver Royd , home of in form Scarborough who lay in 5th place, one above the Clifton Parkers. The large partisan crowd was bolstered by 40 York supporters on a jolly boys day trip who were to enjoy a terrific win by the away team.

Playing into a very strong wind, York's early bright start was foiled as the home side kicked for the corner to earn an attacking lineout from where No8 Isaac Faamau knocked on, over the line. Scarborough took the ball against the head and pressure eventually told as full back Coffey touched down in the corner, 10 mins gone 5-0 to Scarb, looking ominous for York. York fought back and a series of forward incursions into the Scarb 40m earned a penalty that stand off Neil McClure was just wide with. Marc Benson then departed with an injury to be replaced by the hard working Eric Hall who bent his back into a 15m driving maul from a lineout , McClure fed Tom Newitt who surged forward before feeding winger Hugh Nicholson under pressure to score in the corner, McClure just missing the tricky kick, 5-5.

As a brief shower of hail added to the wind, York renewed their attack as full back George Davis broke through, recycled ball was fed wide with the final pass just eluding Nicholson. The link play between forwards and backs was generally good and showing sure signs that the players are comfortable with the new coaching team. A penalty earned on halfway was kicked to the Scarb 20m, from here an impressive driving maul with Campbell Thomson holding the ball at the back went all the way for him to plunge over on 25 mins, again the conversion was narrowly wide, 10-5 York. Jack Ambler at scrum half was at his nuggetty best and earned another penalty and lineout in a similar position only for an infringement to enable Scarborough to clear all the way to the 20m. Both sides were having problems with the slippery ball and whilst York looked to run the ball in attack, Scarborough applied plenty of pressure only to be met by magnificent defence which was to earn York a clearing penalty to touch, to end the first half.

Now playing with the wind, albeit ebbing in strength, York nearly conceded from the start when Scarborough winger Jeffrey ripped the ball from an attacking York forward and looked to be heading all the way before being put into touch 5m short. York then spent time camped in the Scarborough 20m from where the Newitt/Nicholson combination went close again. The home side were raising their game with Isaac Faamau always proving a handful to bring down but most of this half was to be even stevens, with the majority of play in the middle 40m. A good Marcus Britland break set up a promising attack only to be frustrated by a midfield knock on which typified the problems both sides were having. Young colt Tom Woffendin made his senior debut on the wing for Nicholson whilst Dan Coe replaced Will Norris, who will be pleased with an ever improving performance. As York seemed to tire somewhat, the Scarb 15 Coffey was allowed to jink his way through the middle to earn an attacking scrum only for superb defence to force the turn over. On 33 minutes McClure kicked a long penalty from 35m out in what proved to be the only score of the second half and indeed the only successful kick of the game. A tiring York held a series of Scarb forays out and in the dying seconds the home side denied themselves the chance of a losing bonus point by opting to run and not kick !

A largely unpredicted away win for York then, who showed the spirit and at times the attacking threat that they possess once they keep their discipline. Honourable mention to Sam Thorpe who came out of temporary retirement to put a great shift in before emigrating in the near future. McClure again had a good game and Tom Newitt 's speed caused problems all day. Man of the match went to Jack Ambler, a former colt who has just returned to rugby this season after a couple years out doing BMX trick cycling at a high level !