Scarborough RUFC set for Boro Shield tester

Following Scarborough RUFC's defeat of Middlesbrough-based Acklam in Yorkshire One, skipper Matty Jones' men turn their thoughts to the Yorkshire Shield tomorrow.
Scarborough RUFCScarborough RUFC
Scarborough RUFC

The opposition on this occasion are also from Teesside this time in the form of Middlesbrough RFC who ply their trade in Durham/Northumberland Division One (DN1).

Middlesbrough played in Yorkshire One in 2014-2015 when they were moved sideways from DN1.

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The game on the road at Middlesbrough in November 2014 was a real cracker which saw Scarborough race to a 21-7 half-time lead only to implode after the break when fly-half Tom Chadwick was carried off with an injury which kept him out of action for several months and Harry Domett was sent off.

A spirited Middlesbrough fightback saw them just sneak the game 26-24; a remarkable turnaround.

Later in the season a feisty affair at Silver Royd saw Scarborough edge a thriller 13-7.

Middlesbrough finished fourth in Yorkshire One and returned to DN1 at the end of the season.

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Last week the Teessiders, who are sixth in DN1, beat second from bottom club Stockton 36-23 at home.

Going back to last week’s game, Scarborough made short work of bottom club Acklam winning 68-8.

The visitors stuck to their task in a keenly-contested start but trailed 20-3 at the break.

Coach Lee Douglas’ charges cut loose, scoring seven second half tries in front of a sizeable Silver Royd turnout.

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Acklam gained reward for their doggedness on a difficult afternoon by running in a late try.

Alex Rowley, Aaron Wilson and Devin Ibanez shone on their first team debuts and returnees Matty Jones and Nino Cutino played their full part with the back three of Tom Burton, Tom Ratcliffe and Matty Young among the tries.

I had a word with Jordi Wakeham Scarborough’s young scrum-half earlier in the week.

He is improving following his illness but is still a bit weak and wobbly and hopes to be back in a month or so.

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Graham Hogg is still awaiting the all-clear from his concussion and Isaac Faamau is still nursing his hamstring injury.

Ben Martin who is home from university and Bob Murphy join the squad for tomorrow’s game.

The Vikings who won 27-0 at Driffield last week and the Danesmen are also in action tomorrow; the Scarborough second string entertains Hull at Silver Royd while the Danesmen are on the road at Hessle.

The Scarborough women’s team the Valkryies are hoping to get back into action on Sunday when the travel to play Harrogate Ladies.

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The local girls have been let down on consecutive Sundays by Bradford Salem and Workington respectively who claimed to have been unable to raise a side to travel.

This means that the Valkryies have yet to play at home which is a real blow to arguably the keenest side in the club.

Clubs rarely have a problem raising a side at home so I’m betting on Sunday’s game going ahead. The Valkryies won at home and away against Harrogate last season.