Match Report Doncaster v Scunthorpe in 1st Pool game in the Papa John Shield Tournament.

The Doncaster Knights’ stadium at the Castle Hills ground provided the best of venues for this Derby clash. Both sides started with high tempo rugby and after weathering early Doncaster pressure the Green pack, with Captain Grant Elliott, as usual, leading by example seized the initiative and drove deep into the Phoenix half where fly half Connor Brewster found prop Kane Linklater running a great line that pierced the home defence to bring the first try that Brewster converted.

Doncaster fought back and an entertaining game developed that ebbed and flowed with high skills and some errors. For the next 20 minutes defences were on top. Then the home team pressure gained a penalty that set up a powerful catch and drive that saw their flanker Harry Roberts touch down for an unconverted try. As half time approached a strong drive by the Doncaster scrum gained them a penalty that full back Joe Gomes converted. Immediately after, at the restart, influential Scunthorpe number 8 Ben Hyde sustained an injury that put him out the game. So the visitors went into the break 8-7 down and an injury problem to remedy.

The start of the second half looked ominous for the Greens. They lost three of their own line outs and Doncaster launched some spirited attacks. However, the Green defence held. The speedy Jack Leggatte made a weaving run out of defence. Will Dale and Karl Hull came off the bench and added impact to the Greens’ attack. The pressure was now on the home team. An infringement by Doncaster at a Scunthorpe driving maul saw Brewster score with a penalty and a further transgression led to Phoenix lock Bevan Wilkinson seeing yellow. The visitors kept up momentum. Josh Lugsden, enjoying his game at outside centre, put in a trademark penetrating kick that, followed  by a scything tackle by scrum half Joey Mowbray, led to a line out and catch and drive which saw Will Harrison score to crown another great performance for the Greens. Against this run of play the home side, cheered on by their support, rallied and a well sustained attack saw a rare break through the centre of the Greens’ defence to feed their looping  no10, Tom O’Brian, to score.

13-17 with ten minutes left had the fans of both teams in the stress zone. But it was Scunthorpe who, again, took control and forced the last score of the game with another penalty by Connor Brewster.

Final score 13-20 

This was a performance that showed improving individual and team skills. With several key players absent it showed our growing strength in depth- which will be needed as injuries are still hitting availability.

In the other pool game Broadstreet beat Oundle. Our home game against Broadstreet on 15th April will be the battle of the front runners for the semi-final place.

Scunthorpe Patriots 34 – 6 Driffield.

Home to a very young Driffield side, some still had milk on their chins. The greens anticipating they was going to be quick in the backs…. Incorrect…. they were quick everywhere.

But the green army was stronger, what Scunthorpe lack in speed they made up for in strength and weight and that’s just the front row!

For a change Scunthorpe started well playing up hill (by choice we won the toss) And defence was the strong suit today, tackling well and filled the park after the breakdowns.

It was good to see that there was not an overcommitment at the ruck which allowed the greens to keep Driffield pinned back.

Driffield never crossed the Scunthorpe line with the only Driffield points coming from the tee.

Scunthorpe played together as a team and it showed, if they play this way for the next few weeks the league is coming to Scunthorpe.

MOM went to Kieron Riley, who absolutely dominated but there was so many who could have got it.

Phil Jepson tackled everyone at least 10 times.

Ash Grey tackling was phenomenal.

Jack Brunt carried the ball and half the Driffield team full length at least 5 times.

Kirk Murray horrible little scrum half dark arts.

Ricky Smart for “hulk” smashing 

Matthew Henton for 27 tackles in a row in the 5m 

Cameron Ogg would have outpaced Usain bolt today 

The list goes on…..

Everyone had a great game.

34 -6 win

Tries

Robbie Johnston x 2

Phil Jepson x 1

Jack Brunt x 1

Billy Nicholson x 1

Cam Ogg x 1

2 x cons magic 

1 x yellow for Gui Abreu , he now has more cards then a Pokémon collection.

Last league game next week, Withernsea away, let’s make sure we finish at the top.

HullIoanians Women 31 – Scunthorpe Women 10

Scunthorpe travelled the short distance to Hull Ionians to play their final game of the season.  The sun was shining in what was to be a great game of rugby.

The game started at a frantic pace with both teams eager to keep the ball alive. Strong running from the Hull forwards was always a threat and they first broke the deadlock out wide after a passage of support play. The game was back and forth and end to end with the Hull 10 playing a great tactical kicking game to keep us pinned back! 

Not to be out done Cassie sent up plenty of high balls into the sun to try and gain territory for Scunthorpe. Scunthorpe worked tirelessly throughout the game and put into practise the processes they’d worked on at training. 

The final score was 31-10 to Hull with Cassie getting both for Scunthorpe. Players of the day were Sophie Bullass in the backs – her strength and go forward today was immense and constantly got momentum going for us. Holly Newman was named forward and oppositions player, playing an epic game, always making ground on her carries, huge tackles around the ruck area and her general work ethic which is always top notch! 

This rounds off a great season for the women’s team who as a group of players can be proud of the season’s achievements, often travelling to games without a coach and relying on their team ethos, enthusiasm and belief in each other to get the team through.

Thank you to our loyal supporters and to Sam Fell for his coaching efforts at the start of the season, Lorenzo for stepping in and bringing some fresh ideas to the team and Jono for his coaching expertise towards the end of the season, to see us out . We are grateful to you all.