Match Report Scunthorpe v Oundle 22.04.23

This deciding game in Pool 1 of the Papa John Shield Competition gave us a feast of open, thrilling rugby with no fewer than 13 tries. The Greens started at a blistering pace that saw a Jack Brunt try, the first of four, converted by Tom Aldridge. Another  followed scored by debut winger Cian Vaughan after a searing line break by Will Harrison.  A great 50 -22 by stand off Conner Brewster set up a Scunthorpe catch and drive that saw Will Harrison touch down for a third, converted try.

Oundle finally got enough possession to force a line out in to home side’s 22 and showed they were masters of catch and drive. Prop Saad Sait getting the touch down. The Greens hit back almost immediately with a carbon copy of their third try but this time not converted. Both teams scored a further try, both by catch and drives. Oundle’s being a penalty try. After the influential Will Harrison saw yellow the visitors finished the half strongly. Yet another catch and drive sucked in the Greens’ defence and a couple of passes to the blind side gave winger Vernon Horne the last score of the half. 

Half time 29 17

Seven minutes into the second half a turnover by the Greens set up a passing move that saw Jack Brunt bust through for the first, unconverted, score of the half. Oundle fought back and a sustained move involving forwards and backs led to another Vernon Horne try converted by number 10 Jacob Gent. This brought the visitors to only 10 points adrift and a comeback seemed possible. The home side, however, went up a gear. Probably the best attack of the game resulted, with forwards and backs combining to allow winger Cian Vaughan to cut in through the covering defence to score. Scunthorpe were now well in their stride. James Dyson, Will Harrison and Jack Brunt were breaking the Oundle defence bringing tries by Cian Vaughan and Connor Brewster. Vernon Horne intercepted to score a consolation try for the visitors. Final score 51- 29

This was a great team effort. All 18 players did our club proud and gained a place in the semi-finals. This will be a home game against Wirral RUFC next Saturday K.O. 3pm.