Match Report – Alnwick v Scunthorpe 28.01.23.

On a perfect day for open rugby in this scenic corner of Northumbria the teams did not disappoint the large crowd.

To the surprise of the vocal home support it was the Greens who found their form first after a frantic first ten minutes start. Their catch and drive resulting in the improving Cam Christie  scoreing an unconverted try.

Alnwick, however, hit back almost immediately with some slick passing that opened a gap through the middle for fly half Evan Moir to dot down under the posts and then convert his own try.

The game continued to develop as a thrilling and even contest with largely very skilful rugby interspersed with occasional heart stopping errors that reversed the flow of the game. Again it was the visitors who gained the advantage and another catch and drive saw the evergreen Tom Alldridge surge over for the next score.

Urged on by their support the home side again produced an instant response with a flowing, then driving, passage of play that enabled Big James Cowen to stampede over for a try that made the half time score 12-10.

Whatever happened in the Alnwick dressing room in the interval it worked.  They started the second half with more scintillating moves that put full back Jake Woods clear for a try converted by Evan Moir.

Due to a couple of injuries and lack of full match fitness weakening the Greens the home side now saw their skill and power gain success in the form of two more tries, bringing the score to 29-10. 

However, Scunthorpe, battled on and a forward drive, followed by a quick passes out saw the speedy Josh Lugsden over the home line.

History, or rather the play, repeated itself. Despite spirted resistance the home side ran in more tries before the Greens, with a never say die effort, forced a penalty and from the resultant catch and drive Nick Dyson drove over through the gap created. This gave a final score of 43-22 and Scunthorpe had a vital bonus point for scoring four tries.

This performance on fortress Alnwick’s home turf, against a team second in the division, encourages hope that the Great Escape is possible and if  the effort is sustained probable.        

Lincoln Women v Scunthorpe Women 

SEMI FINAL OF LINCOLNSHIRE CUP

Forward of the match: Holly Newman

Back of the match: Cassie Milestone

Oppositions player: Harriet Burniston 

Wow! What a great game to be part of! Scunthorpe took a squad of 19 down to Lincoln where the semi final of the Lincolnshire Cup awaited. Lincoln riding high in the league above after promotion last season would be a tough encounter for us. The game was very evenly matched much to Lincoln’s surprise. From the Ko Lincoln were straight onto a couple of unforced errors by Scunthorpe leading to their first try. 

Lincoln 5-0. This woke up Scunthorpe and they were ready for a battle. Cassie Milestone on a weaving run up the middle of the park managed to split the defence in two and score to even it up 5-5. Lincoln not to be outdone came back with some powerful running by their 13. Lincoln try 10-5.

Scunthorpe showed renewed vigour and a converted try followed by some great backs interplay where Becky Clark offloaded to Ewa Jasek to score 10-12. The yo-yo game that it was, Lincoln responded with a try 15-12. Back to halfway again, following some good red ball work by the forwards allowed Becky Clark to score off a miss pass move from Cassie.

Halftime – 15-17 to Scunthorpe 

Lincoln were ready for the KO and capitalised from some ill discipline and strong forward running for another try 20-17. Scunthorpe reloaded and went again another try for Cassie after evading loads of tackles and powering through to the line 20-22.

Scunthorpe now having the upper hand and their heads up, showed some fast pace from Sophie Bullass in a supporting line allowing Cassie to draw the full back and pass to Sophie to score 20-27. Scunthorpe battled and battled and forward of the match Holly Newman put in some bone crunching tackles on Lincoln’s players but could not stop the flurry of renewed energy they had. 

Lincoln try converted 27-27. Looking like extra time was on the cards, the competition was fierce but it was Lincoln who had the final say of the game. 

Lincoln try converted 34-27 which was the final score line. 

Becky Clark commented “Leading the team every week is such an honour and knowing that the women that turn up week in week out and put on a green shirt play with pride and passion, thats all we could ever ask for” 💚🖤

Scunthorpe started the match off with a minute’s silence for one of our never forgotten friends, which was supported and joined by two of his children. 

The game kicked off and we started strong with a try from Jamie Wray all within the first couple of minutes. Scunthorpe started fast and showing intensity to the cause. The kick was missed.

Score 5-0.

Scunthorpe then lost concentration and allowed Goole to score within several minutes of the Scunthorpe score! Some stern words behind the posts got everyone fired up again and straight back into the game. They missed the conversion. 

Score 5-5

The game was back and forth with Scunthorpe tackling hard and contesting the break down. Goole was in a similar position and not allowing any one to gain any easy yardage. 

Ben Sass went on one of his normal weaving runs taking on half of Goole’s defence before touching down between the posts. Conversation kicked Score 12-5 To Scunthorpe. 

Goole fired up and came back at us hard. A tough final 10 minutes of the half showed some good defensive work and breakdown work by the greens.  However, Goole was not giving up and got another try back. 

Score 12-10

Jamie Wray released to go over for his second try of the game. 

Score 19-10

Back again Goole scored twice in a row and kicking one of the conversions Score 19-22

Half time came to give us all a breather! 

The second half was very similar, with Goole not allowing anything passed them and some great running from their pack. 

Some good forwards work saw the greens in their 22. Danny Lynch seeing a gap for Lee ‘Magic’ Copperwhaet to run through and fall over the line. Kick missed Score 24-22

Tails up Scunthorpe went back at them dominating the scrum and pushing Goole back on each time. 

Time to finish the game off Martin O’Hara chased a loose ball to stretch and with a finger tip touching it down. 

Score 29-22. 

Great game had by all and fantastic game to be part off. 

Man of the match- Phil Jepson for being Jeppo and hitting everything that moves!