Mattie Jones named a consistent starting XV for the first time this season and his side were forced to defend early in the game.
The match continued in the center of the park before the first points of the afternoon were scored in the 16th minute.
Minutes later the visitors were reduced to 14 men after Bailey Matthews’ high tackle.
But Panthefract After 10 minutes, it was possible to take the lead in the game. Rich Hosack broke through the defense and headed for a corner before heading in a cross for Craig Fawcett to score.
The conversion cut it to 5-3.
On the brink of half-time, Jones’ side regained the lead through Aaron Wilson. He won the ball, found a gap between two defenders and went through to score under the posts.
Ratcliffe added the extras for 10-5.
The second half began in similar fashion, with both sides exchanging handling errors in a tricky game.
Pontefract reduced the deficit in the 50th minute after Harry Wollaston converted a penalty to make it 10-8.
With the game well set up, Scarborough extended their lead with a converted try.
Center Joe Marshall caught the ball, punched through the defense and made it to the 17-8 line.
In the remaining 20 minutes of the match, the visitors kept up the pressure, repeatedly coming close.
They finally managed to break down the Scarborough defense in the 66th minute.
A dangerous scramble gathered pace before the ball was carried down the line and winger Ciaran Tucker headed home in the corner.
The conversion was significant and made it 17-13 with 15 minutes to play. Scarborough did well in the final exchanges of the match to claim their fourth successive league win.
Silver Royd welcome old Brodleians to Silver Royd on Saturday as they look to continue their climb up the Regional 2 North East table.
https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/hosts-scarborough-rufc-earn-third-spot-with-pontefract-rufc-win-3890386