Scarborough’s dismal run continues with defeat at North Ribblesdale

LOCK MIKEY READMAN ON THE CHARGE AT NORTH RIBBLESDALE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDY STANDING

Scarborough’s recent run of poor league form stretched to five consecutive defeats with a hugely disappointing 9-3 reverse at North Ribblesdale yesterday. An uninspiring encounter at a soggy Grove Park failed to produce a single try in eighty minutes of rugby and a losing bonus point was the Seasiders only reward for their almost 200 mile round trip to Settle.

An accident on the A59 delayed the Scarborough players causing a late kick-off and back row Chris Purdy skippered the side in place of Phil Watson who arrived after the start. An early exchange of penalties between North Ribblesdale’s Steve Moon and Scarborough fly-half Tom Ratcliffe saw the sides tied at 3-3 for most of the first half. Both sides went close but the only other first half score came when Moon kicked a penalty on the stroke of halftime for a 6-3 lead. The second half was a turgid affair equally bereft of tries before Moon kicked a late penalty to secure a 9-3 home win.

This was a largely forgettable game between two average mid-table sides but to be fair the conditions were pretty dire following weeks of heavy rain. Scarborough were, I suppose at a distinct disadvantage following four hours on the road and a late start; up front the scrums and line-outs were not particularly problematic although talismanic back row Matthew Else was a late withdrawal due to illness and substitute Rob Sutton started for skipper Phil Watson. Even given the conditions, a very useful back division (on paper) just failed to fire and lacked composure and penetration. Apart from the defeat of Heath in the first game of year, 2014 has so far, been desperately disappointing for Coach Lee Douglas, his players and the Silver Royd faithful.

See my full report now on the Scarborough News website and on Thursday in the print edition of the Scarborough News.

TOM RATCLIFFE OFFLOADS TO CRAIG FARRELL