Scarborough RUFC set for Brid derby showdown

I’ve been looking forward to Saturday's game for a while as it’ll be interesting to see how skipper Matty Jones’s men fare against what is undoubtedly the best team in Yorkshire One.

Bridlington got off to a flier with the 24-10 home defeat of Old Brods and went on to win their opening 13 games of the season stacking up 512 points; the highest total in the league and beating Scarborough 33-11 at home back in September.

Their run came to an end last Saturday when Halifax-based Heath RFC won 28-26 at Dukes Park.

I’m not altogether surprised as Heath gave them a very close game at home before going down 12-9 and although Scarborough won their fixture with the west Yorkshiremen 24-3 a couple of weeks ago, it was a hard-fought encounter.

Last Saturday the Seasiders got off to a flyer at York with in-form Tom Harrison scoring a well-worked try after only four minutes of the game. The home side took control and a couple of tries and a penalty saw them lead 17-7 at the break.

Scrum-half Jordi Wakeham suffered an accidental kick in the head after 20 minutes and played no further part in the game.

Although the second half was entertaining and Harrison kicked a couple of penalties Scarborough couldn’t manage the try which would have got them back in the game and York went on to win 20-13.

Scarborough have to go back to the season before last for their last league success against Bridlington when they came away from Dukes Park early in the season with a 24-16 win: Bridlington won the corresponding fixture 12-11 at Silver Royd.

The men from Dukes Park won both fixtures with Scarborough last season.

Bridlington are where they are in the league because they have been consistent in their performance levels so far this season. Scarborough on the other hand have played some good rugby at times this season and have produced some excellent performances and results but consistency has so far eluded them.

Coach Lee Douglas has included Phil Watson and Graeme Jeffrey in his squad and for the second week in a row Jordi Wakeham has shaken off a knock to play.

In common with their opponents, Scarborough have lost only once in the league on their own patch so a cracking game is eagerly anticipated.

The Vikings and Danesmen are also in action against opposition from Bridlington at Dukes Park and Silver Royd respectively; all games kick off at 2.15pm.