L 24-26

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough RUFC’s recent run of form came to a dramatic end at Silver Royd when an 80^th minute penalty from James Bulmer helped Malton & Norton snatch a 26-24 win.

With the chance to go top of Regional Two North East, if results went their way, Matty Jones’ side made a slow start to the game and found themselves 3-0 down when Shane Poole kicked a penalty in front of the posts. His side responded well, however, and came close to taking the lead, in the 15^th minute, but Jordan Wakeham was stopped just short of the line. Scarborough then made the pressure count and took the lead in the 19^th minute. After a prolonged period on the Malton & Norton line, Joe Davies slipped through the tackle to reach and score. It was then the visitors, who wrestled back momentum, and stretched their lead to 13-3. First Poole kicked a penalty before Bill Collier went over in the corner for his sides first converted try of the game. Jones’ side then hit back with a converted try of their own. Euan Govier spotted a gap in the ruck and broke through to score close to the posts. The final action of the first half came in the form of yellow card for Paul Angus, who was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle close to the try line.

The second half saw the visitors take full control of the game as they stretched their lead to 23-12. First Poole kicked a penalty, before James Bulmer went over to score his sides second converted try of the afternoon. The momentum then changed hands again and John Vasconcelos was shown his sides second yellow card for preventing a quick tap and go. Scarborough used the man advantage and reduced the deficit to 23-17. Harry Domett powered through the Malton & Norton defence to score his first try since returning to the side. In the 74^th minute, it was Scarborough who took the lead for the first time since the 19^th minute with Kahu Craig-TeRanga scoring close to the corner. Ollie Carroll making light work of the penalty to give his side a narrow, 24-23, lead going into the final minutes. It wasn’t to be for Matty Jones’ side however, with Euan Govier shown a yellow card for a high tackle and Bulmer kicking the resulting penalty to snatch the points in the final seconds.

Scarborough will be looking to bouce back next weekend as they travel to Moortown for the final game of 2024.