1st XV

W 21-12

League

29-02-2020

Durham City

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough power past Durham City

A much improved second-half performance from Simon Smith’s side allowed them to push clear of the relegation zone as they beat Durham City 21-12 at Silver Royd.

Simon Smith returned to the touchline having missed the defeat at York and he watched his side start slowly against the inform Durham City. His side found themselves playing against the wind the first-half and were defending for large periods of the game. Despite keeping the visitors out, the deadlock was broken in the 14^th minute as an unconverted try from Ellis Hook gave his side a 5-0 lead. The strong winds continued to play its part as both sides struggled with unforced errors across the park. On the stroke of half-time, the home side were able to tie the game up at 5-5. A delicate cross-field kick from Tom Ratcliffe presented Via Tuilagi with the opportunity to power over from the base of the ruck. Ratcliffe missed the conversion but his side will have been the happier going in at all square despite being against the wind.

The second-half started in emphatic style as an unconverted try from Tom Harrison stretched his sides lead to 10-5. A grubber kick through put the City defence under pressure and the ball bobbled clear allowing Harrison to collect and score. Ratcliffe was called into action again in the 54^th minute as skipper Drew Govier was mauled over the line to score following persistant pressure. The conversion was missed to leave the game at 15-5. The Silver Royd outfit then turned some inspired defence into a dangerous attack and won a penalty under the sticks. Ratcliffe made easy work of the penalty to stretch the lead to 18-5. Further ill-discipline from the visitors presented Scarborough with another penalty for 21-5. As the game headed into extra time, Brad Pears found space on the wing and used his pace to score under the posts. The conversion sailed over the posts to leave the game at 21-12. Scarborough are on the road next weekend as they travel to third place Driffield.