Match Reports – 24th & 25th January 2026

SCUNTHORPE 26 – HULL IONIANS 47

Scunthorpe travelled to Brantingham Park to play Hull Ionians on their 1st of 8 away fixtures which culminate at Darlington Mowden Park in April. On a sunny day with a chilly north easterly breeze blowing across the pitch Ionians kickoff. Some changes again in the front row with Dylan Martin, Matty Mason and Harry Wright, and Will Dale, Jordon Beresford back to the bench and Jamie Major recalled to Rotherham.  Scunthorpe had the benefit of the sun on their backs in the first half playing up the slight slope.

The Greens receive the ball in the 22 and make a good exit to their 10 metre line. lonians win their line out run across the park set the ball up then a strong run in the centre by Jack Townsend former Rotherham player last season breaking tackles to score under the posts. Converted by Ben Smith.

Hull I’s 7 Scunthorpe 0 – 2 minutes

From the kick off the Green‘s turn the ball over and go on the attack. They gain a line out in the Ionians 22 which they win, after numerous phases the ball goes forward for an Ionians scrum. With the Green’s forwards working hard they win a penalty with Ionians collapsing the scrum. From the penalty the Greens kick into the Ionians 22. The Greens win the line out, drive forward and play through the phases across the field with a looping play create a space for Will Robinson to score beneath the posts converted by Will Darke.

Ionians 7 Scunthorpe 7 – 10 minutes

A knock forward by Ionians, gives the Greens a scrum. From the scrum the Greens win the ball and a great kick by Will Robinson for a 5022 see the Greens again into the Ionians 22. Unfortunately they lose the ball at line out, which brought Ionians back on the attack from the ensuing play the Greens were penalised for a high tackle. Ionians again kick for touch.  From the line out Ionians play from midfield pass the ball across the line and score a try in the corner by Adam Brankley.

Ionians 12 Scunthorpe 7 – 20 minutes

The Greens win a penalty in midfield for Ionians not rolling away, a successful kick finds them well into the Ionians 22, Greens win the line out play across field, again Will Robinson going into the Ionians in 5m area ball comes back across but unfortunately it gets knocked forward for an Ionians scrum. Ionians win their scrum, pick up and play away into the Greens 22, a turnover allows the Greens to clear to touch on the halfway. The Greens are then camped in the Ionians 22 for a long period without scoring and this was to be telling. The Ionians win the ball at a line out, play from side to side before making a break through the middle and scoring under the posts by Josh Britton. This converted by Ben Smith and with this the referee blows for the interval.

Ionians 19 Scunthorpe 7 – HALF TIME

The Greens now playing down the slope, kickoff the second half, quickly turn the ball over, the ball goes through the hands finding Will Robinson on the wing 15 m out, side steps round the forward in front of him and makes it to the line and score a try in the corner again converted by Will Darke from the touch line.

Ionians 19 Scunthorpe 14 – 41 minutes

From the kickoff the Green knock the ball forward giving a scrum to Ionians, from which they play through the forwards and a try for the second row Kobbie Kofie, again converted by Ben Smith.

Ionians 26 Scunthorpe 14 – 43 minutes

Greens kickoff back to Ionians who with swift hands make a break in the centre, Jack Townend running through before passing out to the winger Cam Burnell to score the try, again converted by Ben Smith.

Ionians 33 Scunthorpe 14 – 46 minutes

The Greens start to get on top again, play into the Ionians half, win the ball and Ionians infringe for a penalty to the Greens. From the ensuing line out the forwards catch and drive only to be held up by Ionians who are penalised for coming out the side. The Greens revert to a Brid play from 5 metres out through the forwards.  Drive with the ball and score a try through the returning Matty Mason. Unfortunately the conversion is missed.

Onions 33 Greens 19 – 50 minutes

From the kickoff, the Ionians winger Cam Burnhill wins the ball and reaches the Greens 22. After a number of rucks the Green’s are penalised for being offside. Ionians kick for the corner reaching the 5 metre line.  From the line out Ionians win the ball drive forward and again after successive rucks score a try through Adam Brankley, again converted by Ben Smith.

Ionians 40 Greens 19 – 55 minutes

The greens turn the ball over and good pressure by Green forwards before being turned over themselves allowing Ionians to clear their lines. Ionians win a line, out keep the ball in play through numerous phases eventually Adam Brankley goes through for his third try under the posts. This converted by the full back James Watts.

Ionians 47 Green is 19 – 65 minutes.

The Green‘s win a line out 5m from the Ionians line but lose the ball, however with Ionians tap the ball over their own line and touch down giving the Greens a scrum 5 metres out. The Greens win the scrum and work it through the forwards numerous rucks later and lots of endeavour score a try eventually score a try through Joey Mowbrey,  converted by Will Darke. This giving the Greens their 4 and bonus point try. Nothing less than they deserved.

Ionians 47 Scunthorpe 26 – 78 minutes.

The game kicked off but fizzled out with a win for Ionians.

The crucial period of the game was the 20 minutes in the 1st half when the Greens failed to make their superiority count. MoM Ben Hyde but mentions should also go to Will Robinson for his tries and and Tom Davies for his unerring play throughout the game.

The Greens next game is at home next Saturday against Preston Grasshoppers. 2pm Kick off

Match Report written by Graham Migdalski

MOM – Ben Hyde

Photos from Hull Ionians Photographer – More photos here – I’s v Scunthorpe 240126

Hull Ionians Match report – Match Report: Hull Ionians 47 – 26 Scunthorpe : 1st XV

Hull Ionians Programme here – 1ST XV VS SCUNTHORPE