Bradford & Bingley

W 0-38

League

18-02-2023

Scarborough - 1st XV

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough RUFC made it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2023 with a commanding 38-0 victory over strugglers Bradford and Bingley at Wagon Lane on Saturday.

In rainy overhead conditions, it took Matty Jones’ side little time to take control of the match and they took the lead in the sixth minute. Fly-half Tom Ratcliffe took the penalty quickly and powered his way through the defence to score. He made light work of the conversion to give his side the perfect start. It was soon 14-0 in the 12th minute with Ratcliffe at the heart of the move again. He fired the ball wide, Centre Joel Little collected and weaved through the tackles to score. Half-way through the first half and Scarborough picked up their third try of the afternoon. This time winger James Long, who bagged his second try in as many games, breaking clear out wide and bundling over the line for 19-0. The bonus point was secured just seven minutes later with full-back Joe Davies going over in the corner. The ball was won back by the Scarborough pack, Vytautas Mudingis and Drew Govier exchanged offloads before Davies collected the ball and had enough pace to score in the corner. The wide conversion fell short to leave the visitors in a comfortable position going into half-time.

The second half started in a scrappy fashion with Will Leah shown a yellow card and both Mudingis and Luke Spauls sent for 10 minutes after fighting. The 13 men continued to test the Bees defence and in the 52nd minute Davies bagged his second try of the afternoon. He collected the ball and broke through the defence to score. Ratcliffe added the extras for 31-0. Jones’ side were then pinned back for the next 15 minutes but put in an incredible defensive display to keep the home side out. They got their reward in the 80th minute after they scored their sixth try of the match. Davies breaking through before offloading for Ratcliffe to score his second try of the match and round off a dominant 38-0 victory.

Scarborough are up to fourth in the Regional 2 North East table, following Bridlington’s defeat at home to Pontefract. Ninth place Morley are the visitors to Silver Royd on Saturday as Jones’ side set their sights on three straight league wins.