A REMARKABLE North One East contest on the coast saw Scarborough RUFC bag a 50-43 victory over a depleted York.

The Clifton Parkers travelled to the fourth-placed side expecting a tough examination made all the more difficult with their extensive injury list.

And so it proved in a game which ebbed and flowed before the seasiders, who likewise were promoted from Yorkshire One last season, bagged a winning try at the death.

York remained top of the table but now level on points with Scarborough, with six other teams all within six points.

York started on the front foot and, after a sustained period of pressure, they won a penalty which was kicked to the corner. From the lineout, the pack drove over with Liam Hessay scoring the try. John Dawes missed a difficult conversion in the swirling wind.

From the restart, York's backs spread the ball wide. George Davies cut back inside and raced in under the posts from 40 metres, Dawes adding the extras to make it 12-0 after eight minutes.

It was now Scarborough’s turn to enjoy some possession and show the pace they have in their back line.

Two quick tries plus one a conversion duly tied the game up at 12-12 after 18 minutes.

The encounter could have been expected to calm down. Not so. Instead, Core went over for the home side under the posts for a 19-12 lead.

York now managed to retain possession and after some controlled play, Shane Goulding crossed in the corner to bring the score back to 19-17.

York were clearly on top in the scrum - however the period just before half time was crucial.

Hooker and captain Ross White suffered an arm injury and left the pitch and Luke Stockton then received a yellow card.

Undaunted, the 14 men went back on the attack and Rich Downey powered over in the corner, with Dawes adding a difficult conversion for a 24-19 interval lead.

However, starting the second half without White and Stockton clearly affected the the visitors' set-piece and Scarborough took advantage, playing some excellent attacking rugby while controlling possession.

In a 25-minute period, the home team ran in four unanswered tries to take them into a 43-24 lead.

It left the travelling support fearing the final 15 minutes. However, York's forwards suddenly started to retain possession and control play.

The backs now had a platform to play and took advantage with three tries in a stunning eight-minute salvo to level matters.

A simple passing move at pace allowed Hessay to score in the right corner.

From the restart, York were straight back at their hosts and another searing move from the backs sent Gareth Singleton over on the left wing.

This was quickly followed by Dawes touching down, and adding his second conversion of the salvo.

With three minutes to go, the score was 43-43.

However, Scarborough were not finished and at the death they grabbed the winning try.

Both teams will point to numerous missed tackles but then they also displayed some outstanding attacking rugby.

York now entertain lowly Cleckheaton on Saturday hoping to have some players back from the treatment room, while Scarborough travel to Pocklington.