Ratcliffe pays tribute to former Scarborough RUFC coach Smith's motivational skills

Scarborough RUFC stalwart Tom Ratcliffe has hailed the impact that former head coach Simon Smith had during his three years at the Silver Royd club.
Tom RatcliffeTom Ratcliffe
Tom Ratcliffe

Smith had overseen a hugely successful three years during his tenure at the club, and Ratcliffe was quick to point out the head coach’s part in this improvement.

Ratcliffe said: “I think we had been building up steadily as a team before Simon came in as coach, but when he came in he got that extra 5% or 10% out of players and we had some great seasons.

“He was a great motivator and will be missed.

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“The younger players have all thrived during the past few seasons and they are getting more of a run in the team, I think that this shows the benefit of the club’s excellent junior set-up.

“The younger lads now know that if they play well in the first-team they will get a run in the side.”

Scarborough RUFC’s final position in North One East has been confirmed as eighth and they will remain in this division for the 2020-21 season.

Following the early end of the rugby union season in England as a result of Covid-19, the RFU agreed that the final standings would be calculated on a best playing record formula maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues.

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The Silver Royd club ended up with a total of 66.18 to stay in North One East.

Ratcliffe said: “It had been a tough season for us with five or six key players not there from last season when we took second place in the table, so to consolidate our spot was a good achievement.”

Long-time leaders York secured promotion to North Premier as champions of North One East, while basement club Huddersfield YMCA, West Hartlepool and Percy Park were all relegated.

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