Ben Martin returns for Scarborough RUFC trip to Kendal

BEN MARTIN IN LINEOUT ACTION AT DRIFFIELD LAST SEASON

picture Dave Campbell

Scarborough RUFC are back on the road on Saturday as they make the 360 mile round trip to the Lake district to take on Kendal. The Cumbrians plied their trade in National Three North in season 2016-17; the league was re-named the North Premier the following season and last season they were relegated to North One East having finished third bottom of the North Premier. I’m not sure how the powers that be worked out the relegation places as there were two Lancashire sides, Wilmslow and Vale of Lune below them and Cheshire side Lymm RFC above them? Last Saturday Kendal were thrashed 45-5 at newly promoted Durham City in their opening North One East game.

CHRIS PURDY STARTS IN THE SECOND ROW picture Andy Standing

Last Saturday a ring-rusty Scarborough side were blown away in the early stages of their game at Cleckheaton and trailed 7-32 at the break; however two second half tries to add to his opener from new hooker Stuart Smyth and touchdowns from prop Matty Jones and back row Chris Purdy provided a nail-biting finish. Had the Seasiders had a more successful afternoon with the boot, they could well have completed a fantastic fight-back to win. However their spirit and attitude saw to it that a game which looked dead and gone after 40 minutes, produced two bonus points and they outscored Cleckheaton by 5 tries to 4.

HENRY HOCKING STARTS ON THE BENCH

For Saturday’s long trip Coach Simon Smith has made one change in the backs with Joe Marshall starting on the right wing for Connor Ward. Up front Chris Purdy comes in for Will Rennard in the second row with influential young back row Ben Martin who was unavailable last week  starting at No8. Kiwi Henry Hocking, Nino Cutino and Jordan Holloway are on the bench. In my forty years covering Scarborough’s games I can’t recall a fixture with Kendal, so no indicators from history; however having managed five tries on the road last week I’m sure skipper Drew Govier will be looking to his side to open their North One East account in Cumbria.