Scarborough RUFC play host to York in derby clash

Although they lost to high-flyers Bradford & Bingley and Bridlington in those home games they have made steady progress in their five games on the road.

A 21-20 win on the artificial pitch at West Park Leeds, a 29-29 draw at Yarnbury, a terrific win in a Blizzard at Old Brods, defeat at Hullensians and last week a 13-10 win at Bradford Salem thanks to an injury-time drop-goal by skipper Tom Ratcliffe; three wins, a draw and one defeat; not a bad haul.

Scarborough recorded a well-deserved 31-12 victory at York in early November, however the men from Clifton Park have been on a good run this year losing only one game in seven (at Bridlington) including last Saturday’s 25-18 win at strugglers Old Crossleyans.

Scrum-half Jordan Wakeham sustained an ankle injury near the end of the game at Bradford last week and will be replaced by feisty utility back Toby Welsby.

In the forwards Hayden Ogilvie starts in the front row with Mark Hopper dropping down to the bench; the back five are unchanged from last week.

Behind them with the exception of Wakeham, the backs are unchanged from last week. Andy Rossol and Phil Stewart join Hopper on the bench.

The Vikings who were trounced 49-0 by Driffield 2nds last week travel to York. All games kick off at 3pm.

The Valkyries are back in action at Silver Royd on Sunday when they take on Barnsley Ladies at 2pm.

The Scarborough senior women’s XV will look to avenge a 22-7 reverse in south Yorkshire back in November and will look to bounce back from their defeat at league leaders YORK RI two weeks ago.