From the touchline by Dave Campbell

Steve Phillips former Notting Hillbillies member with Mark Knopfler and Brendan Crocker is live in concert at Scarborough Rugby Club Saturday 14th November 2015.

DAVE CAMPBELL

With no rugby at Scarborough Rugby Club on Saturday due to the final of the Rugby World Cup I thought I’d take a look at Scarborough’s season so far and a look back at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2015 leading up to the final between the All Blacks and Australia.

HARRY DOMETT OFFLOADS TO TOM HARRISON by ANDY STANDING

On the home front it has been a struggle with injuries at Silver Royd with Tomasz Chadwick having only a matter of minute’s rugby this season. The club’s YDO suffered a serious knee injury at Middlesbrough last season and has been plagued by hamstring trouble this campaign. Harry Domett has been in the wars again and suffered a patella displacement a couple of weeks ago and will be out for an extended period whilst Paul Taylor has been a rare sight in a Scarborough Jersey lately. Last Saturday Kiwi Ant Coffey injured his ribs after only ten minutes of the Hullensians game and could be sidelined for a bit. Allied to the loss of Corey Dennis, Joe Marshall and Eamon Chapman things have not been easy for Coach Lee Douglas.

JAMES LEACH(with ball) IN ACTION

Although they have yet to win on the road against top two clubs Bradford and Bingley and Bridlington, the Seasiders are unbeaten at home with four wins and a draw thanks in no little part to the efforts of the Scarborough ‘Brat Pack’ of Hayden Ogilvie, Drew Govier, Ben Martin, James Leach, Jordan Wakeham and lately Toby Welsby. Their performances have brightened up the early autumn days at Silver Royd and they will be joined next week by Kiwi Isaac Faamau who will play at No8 and hopefully bring his experience to proceedings. The next league outing will be at Clifton Park York next Saturday.

ISSAC FAAMU WITH TOM RATCLIFFE

With only the bronze medal, third placed match between South Africa and Argentina and the final between The All Blacks and Australia tomorrow to be played, Rugby World Cup 2015 has been a runaway success. It has broken all records financially, in attendances, and in media coverage all over the world. I wrote a couple of weeks ago that I thought that England’s early exit was a disaster but once-again I have been proven wrong; great rugby, fascinatingly tight-games, controversy and involvement have been our staple diet and it has been great fun.

Being a Scot I had my big disappointment in Scotland’s quarter-final with the Aussies. I expected Scotland to put up a brave fight but expected Australia to win on that Sunday afternoon. As they say in Jock-land it was a ‘gey dreich day’ at Twickers but the atmosphere was tremendous. For me the Aussies were the more accomplished side but the Scots hung in there and never let them get away. Many of my compatriots and I were amazed to find our side 34-32 ahead with a couple of minutes to go and when the referee awarded the Aussies a penalty we couldn’t see the offence which was on the other side of the pitch.  Bernard Foley knocked it over and the Aussies won 35-34. I was absolutely gutted and still am but being a Scarborough fan I am used to late reversals!

My England supporting friends have shrugged the Scots’ defeat off and put it down to the rub of the green; however England due to their vast financial and playing resources EXPECT to do well in any competition and I’m behind them when they play anyone except the Jocks; but for the Scots supporter it was a bit like being told one had won the lottery then being told it was all a big mistake! Oh yes and I thought the opprobrium heaped on Mr Joubert was outrageous.

THE ALL BLACKS

And so to tomorrow’s big game at Twickenham; the All Blacks have always been a massive force in world rugby and I’ve seen nothing so far in the tournament to convince me that any other team will better them in this competition.

The Valkryies continued their progress as a team with a 24-12 win over Derby in their first ever National Knockout Cup game. It was in the opinion of their Coach Alex Conlin their most accomplished performance since their inception. The Scarborough are joint leaders of their league and play the other joint leaders YORK RI at Silver Royd on Sunday 8th November at Noon.

SAM BURGESS SCORES FOR ENGLAND RL AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

And don’t forget, if like me you are a fan of both codes of rugby, England Rugby League’s three game series with New Zealand starts tomorrow at 5pm with the first test at Hull’s KC stadium. The second test is at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday the 7^th of November at 2.30pm followed by the final game on the 14^th at the DW Stadium Wigan kicking off at 1pm.

By DAVE CAMPBELL

Scarborough bounced back from last week’s reverse at Bradford with a 38-29 win over high-flying Hullensians in a nine try thriller at Silver Royd this afternoon. 

The Seasiders ran in three tries in a fast and furious first half with winger Graeme Jefferey grabbing two and fly-half Tom Harrison also crossing. Hull answered with a penalty and touchdown of their own but nine points from the boot of Harrison saw Scarborough lead 24-8 at the break. 

The Humbersiders struck back after the break with a converted try to reduce the arrears before tries from scrum-half Jordan Wakeham, one converted by Harrison, stretched the lead to 38-15 on the hour. 

A couple of late converted touchdowns, one four minutes into injury time, saw Hullensians add respectability to the scoreline and earn themselves a bonus point but it was Scarborough’s teenage contingent of Ogilvie, Martin, Govier, Leach, Wakeham and Toby Welsby who were the stars of a hugely entertaining game

FULL REPORT BY DAVE CAMPBELL AND PICTURES BY ANDY STANDING IN THURSDAY’S SCARBOROUGH NEWS

By DAVE CAMPBELL

JAMES LEACH IN ACTION -V- BRADFORD & BINGLEY

It has to be said that last weekend was one massive disappointment for me on the rugby front as a Scarborough supporter and proud Scot. My visit to London meant that I missed my first club game of the season and had to follow the game on twitter. You can imagine my delight when we raced to a 19-0 lead in about 12 minutes at Bradford & Bingley; however that was as good as it got on Saturday with the home side staging a stirring comeback to win the game comfortably 39-22.

That reverse was followed by Wales going down 23-19 in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final with South Africa, knocked-out by a brilliant late try by Fourie du Preez. The injury-depleted Wales side left absolutely nothing on the paddock but in the end were undone by a classy blind-side try.

DISTRAUGHT SCOTS AT THE END OF THE AUSTRALIA GAME

We move forward to Sunday and I’ve got to say, personally I expected Scotland to put up a brave fight but expected Australia to win on Sunday afternoon. As they say in Jock-land it was a ‘gey dreich day’ at Twickers but the atmosphere was tremendous. For me the Aussies were much the more accomplished side but Scotland hung in there and never let them get away. Many of my compatriots and I were amazed to find our side 34-32 ahead with a couple of minutes to go and when the referee awarded the Aussies a penalty we couldn’t see the offence which was on the other side of the pitch.  Bernard Foley knocked it over and the Aussies won 35-34. I was absolutely gutted and still am but being a Scarborough fan I am used to late reversals!

England supporting friends have shrugged the Scots’ defeat off and put it down to the rub of the green; however you guys due to your vast financial and playing resources EXPECT to do well in any competition and I’m behind you when you play anyone except the Jocks; but for the Scots supporter it was a bit like being told one had won the lottery then being told it was all a big mistake! Oh yes and I thought the opprobrium heaped on Mr Joubert was outrageous. That’s history, so let’s enjoy the rest of the competition which so far has been fantastic. SOUTH AFRICA play NEW ZEALAND tomorrow and on Sunday it’s AUSTRALIA-ARGENTINA.

LAST WEEK’S MAN OF THE MATCH ANT COFFEY CONTINUES IN THE CENTRE AGAINST HULLENSIANS

For the game against Hullensians, Coach Lee Douglas names the same side as started the game at Bradford last week although he has yet to name a front-row substitute. The Humbersiders have made a good start to the season winning five and losing two; Malton at home and Bridlington away.  Last season honours were even with Hullensians winning 28-24 at their Springhead Lane HQ and losing 26-17 here at Silver Royd.  The Vikings and Norsemen are also in action tomorrow against Hullensians’ Hawks and 3rds respectively. The Vikings travel to Hull and the Danesmen are at home. All games kick off at 3pm.

VALKRYIES LINEOUT AT HARROGATE

On Sunday the Vakryies make their first appearance in the National Woman’s Junior Cup at Derby RFC. The Silver Royd ladies are unbeaten so far this season so confidence is high ahead of this historic fixture.

ISAAC FAAMU

Recruitment officer Nick Ingham informed me earlier this week that the club’s latest overseas recruit, Kiwi Isaac Faamu arrives at Silver Royd on Monday. It has taken quite a time to sort out the big No8’s visa and I’m sure he’ll bring some welcome experience to our back row. More on Isaac next week.

Finally, with next Saturday being the Rugby World Cup final all league games are cancelled; however it should be a great day here at Silver Royd with the lead up to the match on the big screens and kick-off at 4pm. No northern hemisphere teams though!

By DAVE CAMPBELL

TOM HARRISON IN ACTION AGAINST OLD BRODS Andy Standing

Scarborough travel west on Saturday to take on league-leaders Bradford and Bingley looking for their first win on the road this season.  It won’t be an easy task as the ‘Bees’ currently lead Yorkshire One with a 100% unbeaten record. Last week they were on the road and came away with a comfortable 59-25 win at Yarnbury, their sixth bonus-point win of the season.

BEN MARTIN HAD A CRACKER AGAINST BRODS Andy Standing

TEAM NEWS

Following last week’s remarkable comeback to draw 31-31 with visitors Old Brodleians, injuries have once again resulted in more disruption to Coach Lee Douglas’ plans. Influential tight-head prop Paul Taylor is injured and as last week Hayden Ogilvie, Ian Williams and Wesley Langkilde start in the front row, Mikey Readman and Phil Watson are in the engine room and Ben Martin, who had another cracker last week, joins fellow teenagers Drew Govier and James Leech in the back row. The three-quarters are completely re-shuffled with Graeme Jeffrey at fullback, Matty Young and Ratcliffe on the wings and Paul White and Anthony Coffey in the centres. Alessandro Zavatti, Matty Oxtoby and youngster Toby Welsby, who made a promising debut from the bench last week, are named as substitutes.

HARROGATE’S NEW GROUND AT RUDDING LANE

BRADFORD & BINGLEY

Bradford and Bingley have suffered consecutive relegations from National Three then North One but have in general played further up the food chain than Scarborough. The last meeting between the Seasiders and the Bees took place back in October 2002 in North Two East when I was ‘privileged’ to watch Scarborough slide to the club’s record defeat as they were blown away 116-3 at Wagon Lane.  In mitigation, the Tongan International Sevens side from the previous summer’s Commonwealth games in Manchester, who had trained at the club during the games, stayed on to play for the Bees that season.

MARTIN ROBINSON

THE VIKINGS

The Vikings entertain Hull-based side Marist RFC on Saturday; the Silver Royd second string is boosted by the inclusion of Mark Hopper, Joe Lenton, Martin Robinson and Andy Rossol who have all seen first team action this season. Marist RUFC was founded in 1959 and has evolved from the Marist College Hull Old Boys side. At one stage they played in Yorkshire Two and therefore have met Scarborough in league fixtures many times. However, I believe they have now dropped out of the league system and probably only field one side. Kick off at Silver Royd and Wagon Lane is 3pm.

VALKRYIES’ LINEOUT AT HARROGATE

THE VALKRYIES

The Valkryies were the first side from Scarborough to play at Harrogate’s new ground at Rudding Lane last Sunday and came away with a victory that extended their unbeaten run in the Northern Woman’s League to three games. Tries from Mel Halstead and Aisling Robinson saw the Scarborough girls lead 10-5 at the break. Second half touchdowns from Jess Bray, Cathy-Ann Myers and Clair Wilknson, two converted by Player of the Match Mel Halstead saw the visitors to a comfortable 29-5 win. Hopefully Cathy-Ann’s team will be able to field props for their next game but they were the better side all over the paddock in this one with their handling improving game on game

THE ALL BLACKS

THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Even with England eliminated at the group stage there is still plenty of great rugby to be had for the neutral, although my lot are still in it, until Sunday at least!  Saturday sees injury-hit Wales take on South Africa at Twickenham then The All Blacks play France at the Millennium Stadium; games kick off at 4pm and 8pm respectively. On Sunday it’s Ireland-Argentina at one-o-clock in Cardiff followed by Scotland-Australia at Twickenham. My heart may say otherwise but being pragmatic it looks like South Africa-New Zealand and Ireland-Australia in the semis; could there by a big upset? Let’s hope so for the sake of the tournament. All games will be shown on the big screens in the J.M. Guthrie.

By DAVE CAMPBELL

Scarborough are at home for the second week in a row with the visit of Halifax-based Old Brodlieans to Silver Royd tomorrow.

The men from Hipperholme have made a good start to the season and apparently are running in tries for fun averaging 38 points a game even although they have won three and lost two. Samoan Manu Tusiga has made a big impression since arriving at Woodhead and last week came off the bench to score a try in the 27-35 home defeat by Malton and Norton.

HARRY DOMETT MISSES TOMORROW’S GAME photograph ANDY STANDING

A string of injuries and the shock departure of Aussie Eamon Chapman led to Lee Douglas fielding a much re-shuffled starting line-up for last week’s 28-12 defeat of Yarnbury. And the situation worsened with a nasty knee injury sustained by Harry Domett near the end of the game. Although Harry and Tomasz Chadwick will be missing, skipper Tom Ratcliffe returns from injury and is named in a squad which includes Paul White and 17-year-old Toby Welsby. Toby, who was man of the match for the Vikings last week, makes his first team debut.

LAST WEEK’S MAN OF THE MATCH JORDAN WAKEHAM AndyStanding

The Valkryies are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Harrogate RFC to take on Harrogate Ladies. With a couple of wins behind them, the Scarborough Women’s side will be in confident mood; Harrogate have had mixed fortunes beating Acklam , losing to Morpeth and sharing the spoils with Sunderland in a 26-26 draw. All being well, I’ll be reporting on the match in company with Andy Standing who will no doubt be producing more of his fantastic photos.

HARROGATE LADIES SCORE AGAINST ACKLAM

Although the world cup result was a huge disappointment, it was a successful day on and off the field for the club with a win on the field and a successful and well received inaugural Ladies Day in the Qudos Suite. The Ladies I’m told had a wonderful day; congratulations to everyone concerned.

LADIES DAY IN FULL SWING

Enough has been said about last week’s disastrous World Cup exit by England; however they have one more game to play tomorrow night and I hope the supporters at the City of Manchester stadium gets behind them.  Scotland were blown away by South Africa last week but have a chance to progress to the quarter-finals tomorrow if they beat Samoa at St James’ Park.  I’ll miss it of course as I’ll be reporting on the Scarborough-Old Brods game for the Scarborough News!

By DAVE CAMPBELL

Scarborough Rugby Club will be holding their first Ladies Day at the J.M Guthrie clubhouse tomorrow. They hope first and foremost to provide those attending with a fantastic day out; however they also want to raise the profile of the club and bring a new audience to Scarborough RUFC, whether that’s as spectators, players in our ladies team the Valkyries, girlfriends and wives or as parents of boys and girls in the club’s junior section.  

Programme of Events for the day’s events will be as follows:-

1pm:                Red carpet arrival and drinks reception

1:30pm:           Lunch

3pm:                Kick-off

3:40pm:           Half-time entertainment – cheerleaders and minis rugby

3:55pm:           Second-half Kick-off

4:35pm:           Full-time

4:50pm:           Raffle

5pm:                Buffet

5:20pm:           Match presentations

6pm:                Live music from The Sticklebricks

8:30pm:           Free bus to Klosters

Hopefully many ladies will stay on to watch England’s ‘cup final’ tomorrow night from 8pm as they take on Australia at Twickenham with only a win being good enough to keep them in the World Cup. The exit of the host nation at this stage would be a sporting and financial disaster as far as the success of the tournament is concerned and for the popularity of the sport in this country which would affect every club. England has won four out of the five most recent games between the countries so history is with them. However I suggest you get up to the J.M. Guthrie on Saturday evening, join the ladies and get behind your team. Oh yes, and keep everything crossed!

By DAVE CAMPBELL

JAMES LEACH & MIKEY READMAN IN ACTION AT BRIDLINGTON photograph ANDY STANDING

Next up at Silver Royd tomorrow are Leeds-based outfit Yarnbury RFC who are Scarborough’s Yorkshire One opponents on the club’s first Ladies Day.

In the recent past Yarnbury were promoted from Yorkshire Two at the end of season 2013/14 and were narrowly beaten 20-13 by Gloucester club Newent in the final of the Senior Vase. Last season the honours were even between the clubs with Yarnbury winning 25-24 at their place at the start of the season and Scarborough winning 35-27 at Silver Royd in the first game of this year. The west Yorkshiremen have a long string of injuries at the moment and it’s been reflected in their results with three heavy home defeats 21-36 to Heath, 5-47 to Bridlington and last week’s 8-52 drubbing by Old Brods. However, they did win their only away game so far, beating West Park Leeds 18-11 at The Sycamores.

With two wins and a draw behind them skipper Tom Ratcliffe’s men travelled to unbeaten Bridlington last Saturday without the services of Ant Coffey, Tomasz Chadwick, Jordan Wakeham, Paul Taylor, Phil Watson and Drew Govier and turned in a creditable performance;  and despite having had Eamon Chapman sin-binned and Craig Farrell taken off injured, they led 15-9 at the break. They conceded a couple of early second-half tries and although they gave their all, Bridlington grabbed a narrow 22-18 victory with a late penalty.

EAMON CHAPMAN HAS LEFT SCARBOROUGH FOR GUERNSEY RUFC photograph ANDY STANDING

When the teams were announced on Wednesday, the Silver Royd faithful was wondering why last season’s first fifteen player of the year Eamon Chapman was not on the team sheet. Apparently the Aussie-born back row had been in contact with Guernsey Rugby Club in the Channel Islands and has decided to move on to sunnier climes. This was a big disappointment to all at Scarborough as he had committed to play for the club this season. It is a blow to lose such an experienced back row player but I have every confidence in the club’s youthful trio of loose forwards Drew Govier, Ben Martin and James Leach who have done so well this season.

JORDI WAKEHAM STARTS AT SCRUM-HALF TOMORROW
photo Andy Standing

There seems so much in terms of injury and unavailability goes on between selection and kick-off, however here is the Scarborough team news as of Tuesday after training: Leach moves to No8 to replace Chapman whilst Phil Watson and Govier return to the pack. Wakeham returns at scrum-half as does Chadwick at inside centre to be joined by Coffey who has recovered from a calf injury and plays at outside-centre for the injured Ratcliffe.  Paul Taylor, Ben Martin and Matty Oxtoby are on the bench. However, it’s anybody’s guess what the starting fifteen will be tomorrow.

Source: A TERRIFIC WORLD CUP SO FAR!