Cup heartbreak for Scarborough
Boro fall short of Twickenham
Scarborough RUFC’s dreams of a Twickenham final were dashed when they were edged out 10-6 by visitors Bridgnorth in a thrilling National Intermediate Cup semi-final in front of 1,783 supporters at Silver Royd.
Bridgnorth came into this game as firm favourites on the back of a 100 per cent record this season and looked as if they would overrun the Seasiders in the opening exchanges in front of a passionate and noisy record crowd.
But having scored a slick early try, the Shropshire side ended a pulsating 80 minutes hanging onto a slender lead which took them to a Twickenham final and broke Scarborough hearts.
Bridgnorth started with confidence and breaks through the middle by flyhalf Dave Hadkiss and centre Will Crossley had the home defence at panic stations.
It was no surprise when a line-break deep in the Scarborough half saw wing Will Biddell romp in after 10 minutes and add the extras himself for a 7-0 lead.
And Biddell nudged the visitors 10-0 ahead five minutes later with a long-distance effort when Scarborough infringed on halfway.
The West Midlanders continued to press and only a scything tackle by Scarborough centre Billy Parker on visiting full-back Simon Fletcher prevented a second Bridgnorth try.
With the introduction of tight-head prop Paul Taylor from the bench midway through the half, Scarborough took control in the scrums and had the visitors on the rack.
Harry Domett was a constant danger on the left wing and following a break by fellow winger Joe Marshall in midfield, skipper Tom Ratcliffe released the flying Kiwi who almost made it to the line in the 29th minute.
But it was in the forwards the Seasiders dominated with stalwart Taylor in destructive form.
Scarborough parked in the visitors’ 22 for the closing stages of the first half as Bridgnorth conceded a series of penalties, mostly for collapsed scrums, before prop Ryan Smeilus was eventually sin-binned.
However, persistent infringement by the visitors on their own line with Scarborough going forward did not convince referee Mr Stentiford to award a penalty try and Bridgnorth were fortunate to survive with their 10-0 lead intact.
Scarborough started the second half as they had ended the first and could have scored from the restart when a break by fly-half Tom Harrison took play almost to the visitors’ line.