1st XV
W 40-19
League
06-12-2025
Pontefract
By Charlie Hopper
Scarborough RUFC made it three wins in a row after a much improved second-half performance saw them beat Pontefract 40-19 at Silver Royd.
Looking to keep in touch with league leaders Pocklington, the home side made a disappointing start to the game and found themselves 7-0 down inside the opening 10 minute when Ethan Potts went over from the back of a driving maul. Ben Foden’s side took little time to bounce back and they levelled up the game, in the 15th minute, when Jonty Holloway offloaded for Euan Govier to score close to the posts. Scarborough then continued to knock on the door, but a handful of missed opportunities would go punished in the 32nd minute when Pontefract broke clear through Linden Metcalf and he scored close to the posts for 12-7. But the visitors lead would, once again, only last five minutes as captain Sam Dawson bundled over from close range to bring the two sides level. The final action of an entertaining first-half came in the form of a try for Kahu Craig Te-Ranga. He received the offload out wide and made light work as he crossed over for his sides third try of the afternoon.
Scarborough carried the momentum into the second-half and extended their lead to 26-12 courtesy of a try from Aaron Wilson. On his 150th appearance for the 1st XV, he spotted a gap in the Pontefract defence and dived for the line. The visitors responded through Potts before a brilliant try from Drew Govier extended his sides advantage to 33-19 with 20 minutes to go. Going in search of their sixth try, Craig Te-Ranga offloaded beautifully for James Long to dive in at the corner to give his side a commanding 40-19 lead as the game headed towards its conclusion.
Scarborough are on the road at Malton & Norton next weekend, knowing that a win could see them regain top spot in Regional Two North East.