Table-topping Panthers maul Vikings at Silver Royd
Scarborough’s second string looked to end a successful February with a win against Pocklington Panthers, who have gone six months unbeaten and lead the East Yorkshire Merit League competition.
The Panthers support Pock’s first XV, who lead North One East, the league above Yorkshire One, where Scarborough’s first team play.
The visitors got off to a flying start with an early touchdown.
However, due to the horribly unpredictable wind, which blew from all four corners within a short period, the conversion was missed.
Scarborough then suffered a double misfortune when first prop Bob Murphy then hooker Jordan Day were stretchered off injured and the game reverted to uncontested scrums.
Pocklington Panthers looked penetrative and organised in their three-quarters and it was obvious why their progression this season had been so swift.
However, they were nonchalant in their attitude in the early stages and were shocked back to vigilance when young Viking winger Tom Anderson cut through their somewhat somnambulant defence to level the scores at 5-5.
The east Yorkshiremen regained the lead in the 25th minute when a slick team move down their left flank saw them cross in the corner for a 10-5 lead.
A sudden gust of wind saw the conversion drift wide.
Leading 10-5 at the interval the visitors surged further ahead with a try within two minutes of the re-start for 15-5.
Although Pocklington had the upper hand behind the scrums, which were rendered unproductive for the Vikings due to them being uncontested, the Scarborough second string grafted at their defensive duties and never looked like being swamped.
However the visitors stretched the gap with a well taken try from number-eight Ed Liversedge in the 73rd minute for a 20-5 lead following a period of pressure on the Scarborough line.
This appeared to have settled the issue but no one had told the Vikings and a concentrated effort wide on their left saw second row Phil Watson power over in the 79th minute to reduce the arrears to 10 points at 20-10.
That 20-10 scoreline reflected the defensive effort put in by the Vikings against a slick and organised Pocklington 15.
However, the visitors rammed home their superiority with an injury try which was the only touchdown to be converted on a difficult afternoon for kicking and emphasised the superiority of a well-drilled visiting outfit. VIKINGS: Lenton (C), T Anderson, Parker, Mabbott, J Anderson, Ward, Rowley, Day, Dean, Murphy, Oxtoby, Watson, Purdy, Fowler, Read.
SUBS: Fish, Leah, R Day, Emsley, Rossol, Morrell.
SN STAR MAN: JOE LENTON
Full-back and skipper Joe Lenton was conspicuous by his bravery in this game.
By no means the biggest man in the Vikings side, he defended with bravery.