L 40-22

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough RUFC slipped to a 40-22 defeat on the road at Dronfield on the opening day of the 2023/24 season despite putting in a spirited performance.

In the absence of Head Coach Matty Jones, Phil Stewart and Phil Watson took charge of the team, and they watched their side get off to a rapid start courtesy of Drew Govier. Tom Harrison did well to win the ball back in the ruck before Govier collected and ran the length of the pitch to score. Dronfield hit straight back courtesy of a try from winger Mahmid to level up the match at 5-5. Scarborough then fell further behind following back-to-back tries from Marshall and Steade as they extended their advantage to 19-5. On the brink of half-time, Scarborough applied the pressure but a breakaway try from Mahmid gave his side a 26-5 lead going into the break.

The second half started in frantic fashion with the home side reduced to 13 men as two players were shown yellow cards in the space of five minutes. Scarborough made the advantage count as Kyle Winton bundled over the line to reduce the deficit to 26-10. Winton doubled his tally eight minutes later with another well taken try from close range. Tom Harrison added the extras to leave his side trailing 26-17. The momentum continued to be firmly in the Silver Royd outfits favour until a pass, deep in the Dronfield half, was intercepted by Steade and he ran the length of the field to score under the posts. Dronfield were then forced to spend the last 10 minutes of the match with 14 men after a third player was shown a yellow card. Jake Lyon came agonisingly close to scoring a try of his own in the 73^rd minute but it was winger James Long who registered Scarborough’s fourth try of the afternoon. He picked up the ball out wide and scored in the corner. Harrison’s conversion sailed wide of the posts for 33-22. The final action of a pulsating match came in the form of a third breakaway try for Dronfield. The conversion was successful to give the home side a 40-22 victory in the Derbyshire sunshine.

Scarborough welcome Malton & Norton to Silver Royd next weekend for the first home game of the 2023/24 season.