YORK 36 SCUNTHORPE 14
The Greens travelled to York without the services of Ben Hyde and Will Harrison but were bolstered by veterans Gaz Mist and Dave Garbutt. The old cliché of ‘a game of two halves’ best describes this encounter.
As in previous weeks Scunthorpe started like a house on fire both in defence and attack.
York pressured the 22 but stoic resistance kept the home side at bay. Ethan Taylor hoofed the ball down the field beyond halfway to relieve the pressure. Nick Dyson stole the York line out ball and Scunthorpe showed some of their attacking intention which has been most evident in recent weeks.
Good play from 17-year-old Lewis Talbot saw him chip the defence and Josh Lugsden followed up at pace just getting the touchdown before the ball went out of play. Taylor converted from the sideline – York 0 Scunthorpe 7.
York came back at the Greens with dogged driving play from their excellent back row. Scunthorpe conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck and then were pushed back another 10 metres for petulance. The defence held until 20 minutes when the nippy York scrumhalf Toby Atkin was put clear from an outrageous dummy from a prop forward. George Davies converted the extra two – York 7 Scunthorpe 7.
On half an hour Scunthorpe scored again this time through Kane Linklater. The try came from a trademark catch and drive line out. The maul bullied York back 20 metres and Linklater claimed the 5 points, again Ethan Taylor comfortably slotting over the extra two. Tim Robinson’s men were playing some excellent rugby and York were being made to look very ordinary. A combination of turnovers at contact time and some clever kicking pinned York back well into the first half. In fact Lewis Talbot nearly had a chance at extending the lead but was unable to beat his defender. This spurred on York and they went back down the park to score through wing man Mitch Ashman. Full back Davies converted and at half time it was all square with Scunthorpe looking good for some points from this game.
York must have been given a right rollicking at half time as the Greens conceded 22 unanswered points in a very disappointing second period. Scunthorpe couldn’t seem to play to their strengths by using the boot of Taylor to pin back York in their 22.
The first try of the half came from an unforced error as the ball was knocked on. York used the scrum as a base to attack through the backs and Ashman claimed his second try three minutes in. The conversion was missed 19-14. Scunthorpe were camped in their 22 and could not find the continuity to exit. Scunthorpe secured a penalty and Taylor cleared the lines only for the pack to lose the line out, to rub salt in Nick Dyson was sent to the bin and the Greens were down to 14 men. This was a key moment in the game with the influential Dyson off the field York scored 5 points through scrum half Atkin. Then another chance went begging, from yet another York transgression Taylor put the ball into touch into the home side 22. Unfortunately, the line out wasn’t secured, and York cleared their lines again.
Scunthorpe were desperate to get a try bonus but tries would not come as they tried to force the game too much. On the hour James Dyson made a great break and sadly when halted the ball couldn’t be retained. York counter attacked and sealed the victory when full back Davies touched down in the corner, he failed with the extra two but at 29 – 14 York were well in control.
Then with five minutes to go another forced pass saw York intercept and race the length of the field with the winger Ashman claiming his hat trick. Davies converted and the final score of 36-14 did not reflect the good rugby that Scunthorpe played in the first half.
Unfortunately, the game is 80 minutes long and the Greens need to develop a strategy to play to the end and play to their strengths. Next week they will entertain Heath at Heslam Park in a rearranged game when they must try to get some points in order move above the relegation zone.
Yarnbury 31 – Scunthorpe Women 22
Scunthorpe Women travelled to Yarnbury for a run out on their 4G pitch. Scunthorpe missing a few players had to make some emergency call outs to some of the womens stalwarts to make up the 15. The game was really end to end with one team scoring and then the other. Yarnbury used their forward runners well and capitalised on missed tackling for their tries. Scunthorpe however used the systems they’d been practising and tried to get the ball wide to their strike runners. Half time loomed and Scunthorpe were up 17-12 however just on the stroke of half-time we lost our number 8 to a neck injury and dropped to 14. Yarnbury unfortunately wouldn’t match our numbers for the game.
Second half began, 14v15.. This extra player did have an effect of the game and that was a shame. The score ended 31-22.
We as a team showed pure grit and determination and that came from every player. Our team spirit is one of a kind at Scunthorpe and this will never change, and we will never be a team that doesn’t value the principles of the game 💚🖤 #upthegreenies
Tries From:-
Ewa Jasek x 2
Ella Nutbrown x 1
Becky Clark x 1
Cassie Milestone kicked 1 conversion.
Forward of the match: Annie Shearsmith & Charlotte Oades. Back of the match: Holly Newman Oppositions player: Ewa Jasek
Scunthorpe Patriots 8 – Lincoln 2’s 14
Home to Lincoln 2 after Withernsea cried off mid-week.
Scunthorpe knew they was in for a battle after the 2 previous encounters. Scunthorpe started well and defending was superb.
The pack was dominating and turning over plenty of good ball. The side looking amazing. However despite this Lincoln took first blood against the run of play
0-7
Scunthorpe fought hard and pinned Lincoln back in their 22, spending that much time there Scunthorpe could’ve built tents and a campfire. From this sustained pressure Kirk Murray picked and went from the base of a ruck, outfoxing the Lincoln entire back line adding Scunthorpe’s First points.
5-7
Half time came and went
Story was much similar with Scunthorpe being by far the dominant side pinning Lincoln in their half.
Dec Spelman looked like he was going to score on his patriots debut, but unfortunately dipped when he should have dodged.
A penalty straight in front of the sticks equalled easy points for Lee ‘magic’ Copperwheat.
8-7
The onslaught continued and Lincoln were seemingly on the ropes, In an effort to put the game beyond reach a penalty on the 22 was kicked for touch.
In what seems to happen more times than it doesn’t the ball was lost in the lineout and before you blinked Lincolns winger was out and out on his own racing down the flank and under the posts.
The score was converted and the game was over.
8-14
Lincoln are a league or 2 above Scunthorpe and their captain and coach both said this was the hardest game they have played this season.
Andy Kelly said he I loved today can’t be prouder we played like warriors.
Mom went to Scott Kelly and Cameron Ogg.