Match Reports 1st November 2025

2nd TEAM

SCUNTHORPE  19 – NOTTINGHAM CASUALS 21

Scunthorpe Stags hosted Notts Casuals in the first round of the NLD Senior Plate, a trophy that they had won the previous season. Scunthorpe fielded a strong side and were looking to repeat the feat.

After two minutes a penalty to Scunthorpe gave a line out in the Casuals 22 but it came to nought as the ball was stolen.

With six minutes gone Casuals were on the attack but massive defence from Billy Hardy and Will Horner popped the ball, a foot rush saw Horner picked the ball up race from the 10-metre line to score under the posts, Jake Goodison converted, 7-0.

The Casuals were a good side and came back at the Greens, they were awarded a penalty and from their catch and drive battered the home team line. Scunthorpe defended valiantly and repelled the attack.

Eventually good approach play from the visitors got them on the scoreboard with a well taken try, interplay between left wing Niall O’Kane and scrum half Jacob Butler found a gap and James Wood converted from wide, 7-7.

The Green pack began to dominate, and the back line were on song, orchestrated by Jake Goodison, on 23 minutes Jack Murr scored a lovely try.

After a penalty to Scunthorpe and a good kick to the right-hand touchline the ball went through the backs, and they ventured into the corner, Casuals committed a penalty and Scunthorpe opted for the scrum, Billy Hardy fed Jake Goodison, and a slick pass saw Murr go under the posts with Jake Goodison converting, 14-7.

Robbie Johnston had to be replaced after a full-on clash and Henry Dawson entered the field.

Just before half time Dawson scored a well deserved try. It was a scrum to Scunthorpe on the Casuals 22, a runaround from Jack Murr and Jake Goodison saw Dawson exploit the gap. The conversion went wide but at half time it was looking very promising at 19-7 with the backs asking serious questions of the visitors.

Just after half time both sides exchanged yellow cards for high tackles. The Stags’ dominant form of the first half was nowhere to be seen, and it was as if a completely different team had taken to the pitch after half time.

There were unforced errors and a serious lack of urgency as the Notts lads clawed their way back into the game. From a silly Scunthorpe penalty offence Casuals scored a converted try. The Greens defended well but their oppos kept going and eventually were rewarded with the seven-point visit, it was now 19-14 and very interesting with twenty minutes to go.

Into to the last ten minutes and Scunthorpe were trying to hang on but it just would not click. Another silly mistake was to be their downfall, it followed a scrum, which was now back on top, The Scunthorpe ball went along the line, but it was fumbled in midfield. Casuals pounced and their pacey flanker Franklin raced 70 m to go under the posts for a converted try, 19-21.

The Greens could not claw their way back and the Casuals ran out worthy winners, progressing to the next round. Scunthorpe will be scratching their heads as to how they could be so dominant in the first half and so lack lustre in the second. The Stags return to league rugby next week with a visit to Sheffield outfit Mosborough.

Mom – TBC

Match Report written by Steve Williams

DEVS

SCUNTHORPE 8 – Goole 44

The development took the short trip up to Goole hoping to keep their undefeated streak going in the league.

The match started and looked very even as both teams were matching each others strength, however the first point would go to the home side as they spotted an overlap on the blindside and executed it well to put the devs behind for the first time in a long time.

Scunthorpe would answer back as some strong carries from their forwards got them within reach of the tryline where scrum half Liam Barrett picks out a gap and dives over to score, the conversion was missed and Scunny were back level.

Scunthorpe would continue to add more pressure to this very strong Goole team and another penalty from the home side gave captain Harry Fell the chance to kick for the 3 points in which he did so successfully, the devs now took the lead 8-5

Goole would start to answer back, with the penalty count now going against Scunthorpe, Goole was putting some serious pressure inside the 5 metre land and to much again as Goole once again spotted an overlap on the blindside and dived over for another try to make it 12-8

The home team would get the final points of the half and it would come from some fast hands from the backs sees their winger through on a 2 vs 1, a simple pass back inside saw Goole score their 3rd try of the game and the score at the end of the half see the Devs down 19-8 at half time.

Sadly, despite Scunthorpe keeping up the pressure, they could not convert any more points.

Goole’s depth on the bench also proved too much and ran away with the score and result scoring 4 tries in the last 10 minutes and handing the Development side first loss of the season.

Final score Goole 44 Scunthorpe 8

Match Report written by Charley Wilkinson