In-form York visit Silver Royd for eagerly anticipated local derby tomorrow: DAVE CAMPBELL PREVIEWS

by DAVE CAMPBELL

BILLY PARKER ON THE CHARGE AT WEST HARTLEPOOL

Photograph by JENNY BROWN WOOD

Surprise North One East league-leaders Scarborough entertain York at Silver Royd tomorrow in their third home game of the season. Last week, playing with a depleted line-up the Seasiders bounced back from an early 0-15 deficit to score four tries for a 29-25 bonus-point win at West Hartlepool.

York have made a solid start to the season; they lost their first two games narrowly going down 18-22 at Driffield and 18-19 against Morley at Clifton Park. They then won their next four 30-24 at Pocklington, 35-17 against Malton at home, Bradford and Bingley 39-12 on the road and Cleckheaton 49-29 at home last week. They have recruited in the close season including Kiwi second row Cade Robinson who played for Scarborough last season.

Tom Ratcliffe and Chris Purdy who were both unavailable last week return to action tomorrow for Drew Govier’s men; however Ben Martin and Aaron Wilson are still missing due to concussion; Joe Marshall is still injured. Also last week the Viking won a cracker against Goole seconds 10-8 at Silver Royd; they don’t have a game tomorrow but the Danesmen are in action at Barton.

Last season’s game between Scarborough and York produced perhaps the most exciting game at Silver Royd since the complex opened in 2009. York took an early 12-0 lead before Scarborough fought back to lead 19-12 before the Minstermen ran in a couple of tries to lead 24-19 at the break. The champagne rugby continued in the second half as the Seasiders raced to a 43-24 lead with fifteen minutes to go. The visitors came storming back to silence the Silver Royd faithful with three tries in seven mind-boggling minutes to level the scores at 43-43 with a couple of minutes to go! Game over? Not a bit of it; skipper Matty Jones barged over from close range deep in injury time and Tom Ratcliffe converted for an extraordinary 50-43 Scarborough win! If tomorrow’s game is half as exciting we really are in for a treat.