Scarborough RUFC tackle Consett in National Cup clash

Consett play in Durham/Northumberland One, which like Yorkshire One, is a level seven league. Both sides are sixth in their respective leagues and both are on 46 points so it looks like the sides are pretty evenly matched with a close game in prospect.

The men from County Durham have had mixed fortunes lately; they walloped basement club Blyth 77-10 on the road in the middle of November but since then have won only one of their last five league games including their last home game when they lost narrowly 22-19 at home to visitors Stockton.

They went down 22-6 to Medicals on November 8 in the first group game in the competition.

Skipper Tom Ratcliffe’s men have been licking their wounds and working on the training paddock following last week’s sickening injury-time 12-11 defeat in the local derby with Bridlington and are looking forward to tomorrow’s cup tie.

Coach Lee Douglas has named the same starting XV from last week and has named Wesley Langkelde, Charlie Hoggard, Jordi Wakeham and Tomasz Chadwick on the bench. I believe seven substitutes are permitted in this competition but I can’t confirm that. Hooker Ian Williams is still sidelined with a knee injury.

I’m not sure about our visitors but Scarborough’s best effort in the national knockout competitions was to reach the semi-final of the Tetley’s Bitter Vase in 1999 when the Seasiders lost at Billericay in Essex and we missed out on a Twickenham final by 80 minutes; no such thing as a neutral venue; come to think of it I still think the semis are drawn at home or away.

Also at that time there was universal entry all competitions with all RFU clubs taking part; 512 clubs started in the Tetley Bitter Vase in that year. All that stuff is in the past and as always in the cup, it’s down to who performs on the day.

Following their last gasp 22-10 victory over Bridlington Mariners at Dukes Park last week, the Vikings entertain Morley 2nds at Silver Royd tomorrow.

Although last week’s late try-scorer Jordi Wakeham has moved up to the first team, Tom Fish, Jesse Macdonald, Paul White, Matt Lucas, Andy Rossol and Jack Anderson, who have all played at first-team level this season play in a strong Silver Royd second string.

Joe Lenton who saw first-team action last season continues following his long absence following jaw surgery.

Also in National Knockout action tomorrow are Northallerton from Yorkshire Three who take on Seghill RFC in a RFU Junior Vase group.

Seghill play in Durham/Northumberland three with Castleford making up the group.