Scarborough aiming to seal Salem success in final home game

Bradford Salem, who are next up at Silver Royd on Saturday for the final home game of the season were promoted from Yorkshire Two at the end of last season with an unbeaten record.
Scarborough RUFC stalwart Graeme Jeffrey is set to play his final home game against Bradford Salem on Saturday as he prepares to retireScarborough RUFC stalwart Graeme Jeffrey is set to play his final home game against Bradford Salem on Saturday as he prepares to retire
Scarborough RUFC stalwart Graeme Jeffrey is set to play his final home game against Bradford Salem on Saturday as he prepares to retire

They made a steady start to this season winning six of their eleven games between September and the end of November including away wins at York, Old Brods, Selby and West Park Leeds.

This fruitful start to the season also saw them defeat Bridlington 30-22 at their Shay Lane HQ.

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Since the end of November the west Yorkshiremen have had a slump in form, winning only two of their last thirteen games and those were against strugglers Selby and West Park.

Last Saturday they went down 20-5 at home to Yarnbury providing the Horsforth-based outfit with only their second away win of the season; their first being back on the 12th of September last year.

An injury-time Tom Ratcliffe drop-goal clinched both points and a 13-10 Scarborough win at Shay Lane four weeks ago.

Scarborough’s inconsistency of results continued with a narrow 22-24 defeat at high-flying Malton last week following wins over Old Crossleyans and North Ribblesdale in the previous two weeks.

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The Seasiders would have won the game had they finished some of their excellent approach play more clinically. However skipper Tom Ratcliffe’s men played well in an absolutely cracking Yorkshire One game.

Scarborough’s league game on Saturday will kick off early at 2.30pm to accommodate the club’s second string, the Vikings who take on BP Chemicals RUFC in the semi-final of the East Yorkshire Merit League competition which kicks off at 4pm.

Other action at Silver Royd will see the club’s veterans XV take on Roundhegians Veterans on Friday evening at 7pm under lights.

At the end of last season Graeme Jeffrey informed all who would listen that it would be his last as a first teamer.

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However he keeps playing and running in tries for fun. I’m now informed that this is definitely his last season playing first team rugby and today will be his last home first team game.

If it is, and I wouldn’t bet on it, I’ve got to say that it has been a pleasure to report on and know this talented, self-depreciating and affable man for so many years.