York RUFC travelled to Scarborough for their first away fixture of the Yorkshire division one season and suffered a 20-17 defeat.

On a day that was ideal for open running rugby, it was York who took the lead when a long Scarborough clearance kick was gathered by Tom Newitt who raced 75 yards past home defenders to score out wide.

The conversion was missed and the lead soon reduced as Hogg converted a penalty for Scarborough.

Scarborough dominated the next 30 minutes and scored a further 14 unanswered points with two converted tries.

Scarborough lost Loni Loni to a 33rd minute yellow card for a high tackle on York centre Hessay. The influential centre was soon missed and York got back into the game when winger Dawes scored an unconverted try.

Scarborough started the second half on the front foot and, when York conceded a penalty, Hogg added three points to make it 20-10.

Loni Loni was re-introduced but York scored in what was the first of only two second half incursions into the home side’s 22 .

A promising York back move looked to have been ruined when possession was kicked away however, from the ruck that followed, York were awarded a penalty which was kicked to the Scarborough five metre line.

The throw was taken and the ball driven over the try line with York’s Josh Parker coming up from the bottom of the pile with the ball. Hessay added the conversion to make it 20-17. York pushed forward on several occasions but couldn’t get close enough to really trouble the Scarborough line.

Desperate defending led to skipper Fox being yellow carded and York spending the rest of the game with 14 men. Hogg sent the penalty wide.

York, who opened the season with a home victory against Heath, were a much different team with ten positional and personnel changes made through injury and unavailability.

On another day, York may have won but, on this occasion, came up short against a strong, fast, hard running Scarborough team who look possible contenders for the title, especially with new players on the way from overseas.

Kicking away possession and, at times, poor tackling and poor handling, all contributed to York’s defeat.

York will now look to bounce back next week against a Selby side that are unbeaten - and also on six points - following a victory over Scarborough and a 25-25 draw last weekend against Hullensians.