ILKLEY 57 – SCUNTHORPE 19
On Saturday, the First team travelled to Ilkley for their first away fixture of the season. Both sides came into the match following contrasting results in the opening round, with Ilkley eager to make a statement after their defeat to Scarborough the previous week.
The starting XV featured an unchanged front row, with Dylan, Matthew and Kane all retaining their places. Grant Elliott partnered Cameron Christer in the second row, with Christer replacing Dan Longden. Rory, Marcus and James Dyson completed the pack, maintaining their positions in the back row.
There were two changes in the backline. Will Robinson returned on the wing, while Jack Leggate came into the side on the opposite flank following Lewis Talbot’s concussion sustained in the opening fixture. Joey and Ethan Taylor continued their partnership at scrum-half and fly-half respectively, while Ethan Heath-Drury moved into the inside centre position, replacing the unavailable Jack Murr. Will Dark remained at outside centre, with Josh Lugsden starting at full-back.
The replacements were Alfie Taylor, Will Dale, Alfie Oldridge, Dan Longden and Will Horner.
The game got underway and it was Scunthorpe who opened the scoring. After some impressive phase play tied in the Ilkley defence, the ball was moved wide to Will Robinson, who cleverly collected his own kick ahead before diving over for the opening try. The conversion was successful, giving the visitors a 7-3 lead.
Scunthorpe soon added a second try through Ethan Taylor. James Dyson managed to free his hands in contact and offload to Marcus, who broke through the defensive line before drawing in the final defender. A perfectly timed lofted pass found Ethan Taylor, who raced under the posts to score. The conversion was added, extending Scunthorpe’s lead to 14-3.
Ilkley responded with their first try of the afternoon, awarded as a penalty try after Scunthorpe collapsed the ball over the line. Referee immediately awarded the score and showed Grant Elliott a yellow card.
The hosts continued to build momentum and added another try before the break, as well as a successful penalty, to take control of the contest heading into half-time.
Half-time: Ilkley 24-14 Scunthorpe
The second half proved a difficult one for the visitors as Ilkley raised their intensity and capitalised on their opportunities. Scunthorpe were unable to regain the momentum they had shown in the opening stages, and the hosts gradually built a commanding lead, extending their advantage to 57-14.
Despite the scoreline, Scunthorpe continued to battle until the final whistle and were rewarded with a late consolation try. Will Dark spotted an opportunity around the ruck, sniping through the defence to cross the line. He was unable to add the conversion to his own score.
Shortly afterwards, the referee brought the match to an end.
Full-time: Ilkley 57-19 Scunthorpe
Despite a bright start and a two-score lead, Scunthorpe were unable to maintain their early momentum as Ilkley produced a strong response to secure victory. The visitors will now look to learn from the performance and bounce back in their next league fixture against Driffield.
Match Report written by Charley Wilkinson
WOMEN’S TEAM
SCUNTHORPE 71 – Doncaster Demons 10
TRY SCORERS
CONVERSIONS
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2nd TEAM
SCUNTHORPE 25 – Ashby 31
Scunthorpe Stags started their home campaign in Counties 2 Midlands East (North) against a strong Ashby side who were relegated last season and contained some very experienced players. In contrast the Stags had 5 players aged U19 in the squad.
Ashby got off to a strong start with their big pack of forwards picking and driving but the Greens defending well.
From a penalty after three minutes Ashby kicked deep to earn a line out in the home 22 from this they managed to drive over for an unconverted try, 0-5.
From the kick off Ashby gathered the ball and ran at Scunthorpe, poor tackling and an overlap saw the scrum half race in from almost halfway to score under the post converted by fly half Leeson, 0-12.
Scunthorpe were somewhat shell shocked and could have easily conceded further points, but they rallied round and began to play their own game, the young centre George Favill scored a great try, it came from a penalty to Scunthorpe; Henry Dawson put the ball into the Ashby 22.
From the line out the pack drove on but were held up and stopped short of the line scrum half Liam Barratt whipped the ball out along the line and young Favill who weaved his way through with a lot to do to score, Henry Dawson converted, 7-12. On 25 minutes Scunthorpe claimed their second try through hooker Chris Murray-Aukland.
Scunthorpe were putting together some very slick passages of play and keeping possession, forcing Ashby into giving away penalties, from one such penalty another well worked line out kept possession, a lovely little chip kick from Liam Barret saw the ball bounce just shy of the line and Ashby were forced into kicking it to touch, this resulted in a Scunthorpe line out which was once again executed to perfection with the ball safely protected and Murray-Auckland claimed the touchdown Henry Dawson missing the conversion, 12-12.
The Stags dominance was halted as Ashby rallied with No 8 Treharne scoring from a move from the base of the scrum, the ball went narrow and the eight trucked on and barged his way over breaking several tackles to score, the conversion went wide, 12 -17 and it was half time.
Shortly after the restart George Favill claimed his second touchdown, Scunthorpe were on the attack but knocked on after a great drive from Chris Murray-Auckland.
From the resulting scrum the rampaging forwards stole the ball from Ashby and young George tiptoed his way through the defence into the corner to score the try.
Henry Dawson missed conversion, but the Stags were now back level at 17-17, the game was finely balanced with both sides not wanting to make mistakes and the let the opposition in and possession went back and forth with no addition to the scoreboard.
On 71 minutes the deadlock was broken, and it was the emerging player George Favill that was responsible for his hat-trick try, the home side got the ball wide with excellent play from Coel Gosling through the centre who chipped the ball over the defence.
The ball was collected by Favill and with nifty footwork once again he scored in the corner, the Stags were now in the lead for the first time at 22-17.
Unfortunately for all the young players’ enthusiasm and skill they lacked some wiser game management skills and from a deep kick off the home side failed to clear their lines and let Ashby back in.
They resorted to committing a penalty and the Leicestershire boys used their experienced pack to drive on, they kept the ball, took it wide and scored a try, which was converted, 22-24. Scunthorpe did not give in and came back again pressurising the Ashby 22 and forcing a penalty on the 22 line in front of the posts, Henry Dawson slotted it over and the Greens nudged into a one-point lead at 25-24.
Ashby were not done yet and they came back once more to score the match winning try with the last play of the game to eke out a 24-31 win.
To be so close to a first home win was disappointing but there was a lot to praise in the way that Scunthorpe approached this game.
They are a young and somewhat naive team who will only get better as they play together week in week out.
There were notable performances from hat-trick man George Favill, Chris Murray-Auckland and the outstanding Dylan Gosling. Next week the Stags visit Notts Casuals with a tough fixture on the road.
Mom – George Favill
Match report written by Steve Williams
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COLTS
BEVERLEY 21 – SCUNTHORPE 26
The Colts made the trip across the Humber Bridge to take on a highly competitive Beverley side, with both teams firmly focused on challenging for silverware at the end of the season.
The match kicked off at a fast pace, and it was Beverley who struck first to open the scoring. Scunthorpe responded immediately, however, with a powerful carry from Leo Hull. Holding off several defenders, he dived over the line to score Scunthorpe’s first try of the afternoon.
Beverley regained the lead with their second try of the match, but once again the visitors hit back almost instantly. A loose ball from the restart was gathered by Scunthorpe, and after the ball was moved through the hands, Austyn Stow crossed in the corner to level the scores once more.
The home side secured their third try of the day after some slick handling created space out wide, allowing them to finish in the corner. The conversion was successful, giving Beverley a 21-14 advantage.
Shortly afterwards, the referee blew for half-time with Beverley holding a narrow lead.
Half-time: Beverley 21-14 Scunthorpe
The second half began with Scunthorpe turning up the pressure. Beverley defended admirably and kept the visitors scoreless for a lengthy period, but eventually the breakthrough came. Harry Wilkinson absorbed multiple tackles before powering his way over beneath the posts. The conversion was successful, bringing the scores level once again.
With momentum now on their side, Scunthorpe went in search of the winning score. After earning a penalty, they kicked deep into the Beverley 22. A superb break involving Josh Quibell and Izaak Amlani opened up the field, and although the pass to Reece Clark was high, he showed great skill to gather it and offload to Casey Hatfield, who raced over in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Scunthorpe had taken the lead for the first time in the match.
Beverley battled hard in the closing stages to reclaim the advantage, but the Colts’ defence stood firm. Winning possession back, Scunthorpe kicked the ball into touch, prompting the referee to bring the game to an end.
A hard-fought victory sees the Colts maintain their unbeaten run and continue their impressive start to the season.
FT Beverley 21 – Scunthorpe 26
Mom – Leo Hull
Match report written by Charley Wilkinson