W 34-27

By Charlie Hopper

Scarborough RUFC picked up only their second league win of the season after a spirited second-half fightback saw them beat Old Crossleyans.

Matty Jones’ side were on the back foot in the early stages of the match and found themselves 5-0 down when Callum Dunne found space in the defence to score. Scarborough responded well, and after withstanding a wave of Crocs attacks, they took the lead through a converted try. Slick work from Tom Harrison and Joe Davies presented Jake Lyon with the opportunity to break clear and score. The visitors were behind for only four minutes as a penalty from Joseph Gallagher, gave them a slender 8-7 lead after 21 minutes. The lead was extended to 15-7 in the 35^th minute when Oliver Kenyon raced onto a loose ball to score in the corner. The final action of a tense first-half came in the form of a try for Centre Joe Marshall. He received the pass from Tom Ratcliffe and weaved through to score to the right of the posts. Ratcliffe’s conversion drifted wide, to leave his side trailing 15-12 at the break.

A dominant spell straight after the break threatened to take the game away from the visitors. In the 48^th minute, Ropeti Ropeti continued his fine form as he scored from close range to restore the lead at 19-15. Ratcliffe was back at the kicking tee just minutes later as Conner Ward threaded through the defence to register his sides fourth try of the game and stretch the lead to 26-15. In the 64^th minute, Old Crossleyans reduced the deficit with a try in the 64^th minute after they had built the phases close to the Scarborough line. Ratcliffe kicked a penalty in the 73^rd minute before Ropeti bagged his second of the afternoon to give his side a comfortable, 34-22, lead as the game headed into the final stages. The final action of the game came in the form of an unconverted try for the visitors to leave it 34-27 with seconds remaining. Despite trying to steal an unlikely win, the visitors were penalised at the ruck and Ratcliffe kicked it into touch to round off a big win.

Scarborough are at home again next weekend, as local rivals Bridlington visit Silver Royd.