2011-12-3 Scarborough 10 vs Heath 14

Scarborough 10; Heath 14


Report by Dave Campbell

 

Referee: Mr  Andy Baker (South Yorkshire society)                    

 

Playing down the Heath slope Scarborough took the game to the west Yorkshiremen from the start and some direct running from centres Craig Farrell and Graeme Jeffrey tested the home defence but from clean possession in their own half, home centre Craven released wing Rob Thackeray to scamper up the left flank leaving his opposite number Corey Dennis and fly-half Tom Harrison in his wake. However the Seasiders’ young wing recovered to assist a posse of defenders to drive Thackeray into touch.

 

A penalty on half-way took Scarborough deep into the home 22 however a lack of composure saw them unable to get the touchdown their approach work deserved. However Heath flyhalf Ezra Hinchliffe strayed offside in front of his own posts and Harrison slotted the resulting penalty in the 10th minute for 3-0.

 

Wingman Corey Dennis who has fared well since arriving at Silver Royd a short time ago looked as if he may be on for his first try when he intercepted deep in his own half in the 21st minute but was surprisingly overhauled and cover tackled by a retreating back three; however it did demonstrate the quick thinking of this promising young player. The visitors continued to press and good work combining forwards and backs saw winger Tom Ratcliffe come inside to take a superb pop pass and surge over for the opening try of the game in the 29th minute. Harrison added the extras for 10-0.

 

Heath quickly struck back when from a ruck deep in the Scarborough 22, Hinchliffe spotted a gap on the open side and powered through to score. Centre Ben Mitchell added the extras to reduce the arrears to three points in the 35th minute. The West Yorkshirmen continued to turn the screw and from an attacking lineout deep in the visitors’ 22, they laid siege to the line. A series of rucks in injury time eventually saw flanker Wilby drive over, Mitchell converting for a 14-10 halftime lead.

 

A scoreless second half did little to warm the meagre turnout at North Dean with most of the game being played in the middle third of the park. For Scarborough the introduction of veteran prop Tom Fish steadied the forward platform whilst the presence of Jaxon Tite on for the injured Luke Raines added some dynamism and belligerence to the back row. Some good line kicking from Harrison took play deep into Heath territory late in the game but skipper Nick Ingham’s men just couldn’t get the momentum which would have produced a score to grab the points late on.

 

In a lack-lustre Scarborough performance Nino Cutino, Mikey Readman and Jaxon Tite were the pick of the forwards whilst fullback Rob James, Harrison, Farrell and Corey took the eye in the backs. Scarborough are now perilously close to the relegation zone and next week travel to struggling Castleford for a must win game.

 

Scarborough: James Dennis Jeffrey Farrell Ratcliffe Harrison Rollinson Lowde Williams Cutino Readman Ingham(capt) Raines Purdy Else (Subs: Fish Tite White (all used)