W 29-19

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 29-19 derby day victory over Bridlington in front of a bumper crowd.

Both sides, hindered by injuries and suspensions, made a cagey start to the Regional Two North East fixture with neither team taking an early control of the match. In the 13^th minute it was the visitors who went ahead courtesy of an unconverted try from winger Will Watts. Scarborough then made an immediate response just two minutes later. Fly-half Joel Little capitalising on missed tackles to score directly under the posts. He then kicked the conversion to give his side a 7-5 lead. They then came close to extending the advantage but after Euan Govier’s line break, Jake Lyon couldn’t hold onto the ball and the move fell short close to the Brid line. Little made it two kicks from two with a penalty in the 20^th minute that stretched his sides lead to 10-5. The final meaningful action of an entertaining half came in the form of a Bridlington try. A wide pass found Watts and he crossed over for his, and his sides, second try of the match. Scrum-half Sam Wragg added the extras for 12-10.

The second half started in similar fashion with a Bridlington converted try in the 47^th minute. Winger Scott Stevens collecting the ball out wide and running in under the posts. Wragg added the extras for 19-10. Once again, Scarborough responded with an unconverted try through Joe Marshall. Despite being reduced to 14 men just minutes earlier, Joe Marshall crashed over to reduce the deficit to 19-15. The momentum continued to swing at Silver Royd with the visiting sides discipline letting them down. Scarborough wrestled back the lead in the 61^st minute. Replacement Jordan Holloway broke the line, offloaded to scrum-half Joe Woolley and he had enough pace to bundle over the line. Veteran Phil Stewart added the extras to give his side a slender 22-19 advantage. Bridlington second-row Frankie Gasgoigne was then shown a yellow card for an off the ball offence and it proved to be costly as Scarborough scored their fourth try just 5 minutes later. Hooker Jake Lyon proving too strong for the Brid defence to cross over close to the posts. Stewart added the extras to round off a huge victory for his side.

Scarborough are on their travels next weekend, with a tough trip to Dronfield before a trip to second place Pontefract a week later