Match Reports – 20th September 2025

SCUNTHORPE 18 – SHEFFIELD TIGERS 19 

On a drizzly damp day in Scunthorpe the Greens welcomed Sheffield Tigers once more to Heslam Park. Changes to the Greens this week, In the front row  came Olly Arnold and Harry Wright, Ben Hyde back at No.8 and Alfie Oldridge on the flank for the still laid off James Dyson. A shuffle in the backs with Jack Murr coming in at centre for Laurence Pearce and Tom Davis returning at full back.

Tigers kicked off towards the scoreboard end,  from the first scrum, the Greens were penalised for offside, which brought a relieving kick for Sheffield Tigers. From the line out Sheffield Tigers drive on but lose the ball in contact. From the ensuing scrum the ball comes out and in an attempt to clear their line, the ball is charged down into touch by Sheffield Tigers. From the line out the Greens win the ball and clear the ball into the Sheffield Tigers half. Throughout the game  there were many handling errors due to the slippery ball being like a bar of soap. The ball is kick ahead by the Greens putting the left winger under pressure who  struggled to control the ball. Josh Lugsden was first to the loose ball and kicked on to score the first try for the Greens.

Scunthorpe 5 – Sheffield Tigers 0. Eight minutes.

From the kick off the Greens cleared their lines. A kick through by Sheffield Tigers Scunthorpe again penalised for being offside. Sheffield Tigers kick for the corner and from 5 metres out the Greens tried to stem the catch & drive by Tigers held up but this time the Greens are penalised for swimming up the side of the maul.

Tigers again kick for the corner and with a  catch &  drive the Greens were unable to stem the flow with Ben Crowe the Tigers hooker go over the line for their first score. This converted by Harley Saunders.

Scunthorpe 5 – Sheffield Tigers 7. 17 mins.

From the kick off Scunthorpe start to get on top and Tigers are penalised at a ruck 10 metres from their line, the Greens kick for the corner only for the ball to go dead. The play then got stuck in the Tigers half and until Tigers were penalised then for collapsing a scrum. The Greens opted for a kick at the posts. This converted by Will Dark.

Scunthorpe 8 – Sheffield Tigers 7. 29 mins.

From the kick off, Tigers go on the offensive driving through the forwards. At another line out, Tigers and  catch and drive then continue to play through the forwards eventually scoring though the centre and Jamie Broadly scoring under posts An easy conversion for Harley Sauders try converted No11.

Scunthorpe 8 – Sheffield Tigers 14. 33 mins

The rain fell more heavily making the game more difficult for both teams. There was no further score in the first half.

Scunthorpe 8 – Sheffield Tigers 14. HT.

The Greens kick off the second half attacking the Queensway end. Tigers water the ball and clear their lines. From the line out the Greens now with an excellent catch and drive run into the heart of the Tigers defence. Tigers are penalised in front of the post for collapsing the maul. Greens opt for a kick at the posts converted by Will Dark.

Scunthorpe 11 – Sheffield Tigers 14. 43 mins.

Sheffield Tigers penalised again offside. Scunny penalty hits the post and bounces out with Tigers gathering the ball and clearing their lines. The Greens run the ball back only to lose it and Tigers punt up field. Lewis Talbot others the ball and runs down the line only to be tackled high. Play continues with the Greens attacking deep into the Tigers to be penalised once more.  The referee goes to the AR and after discussion the Tigers 9 George Talbot receives a yellow card for the high tackle on Lewis Talbot.

From the line out the Greens again try a catch and drive they drive through through the forwards then release the ball to the backs who then get pulled up for a forward pass. From the scrums Tigers clear the lines again. From the line out a cross kick puts Tigers on the back foot the bounces awkwardly for the left winger who rashly knocks the ball into touch with Josh Lugsden bering down on him. After a short discussion with the AR the referee awards the Greens a penalty try.

Scunthorpe 18 – Sheffield Tigers 14. 55 mins.

As the weather deteriorated further but brought Tigers back into the ascendancy their driving play drove into the Greens 22 and after numerous rucks score a try

Scunthorpe 18 – Sheffield Tigers 19. 60 mins

Play continued  around the centre of the pitch with plenty of endeavour by both sides and the heavy rain does not helping the day today. Neither team were able to gain any sort of superiority the game continued until at the final scrum with a Tigers put in who fed the scrum and kicked the ball out to the final whistle of the referee. A much better performance by the Greens and but for a width of post the Greens would could have had a win.

A trip to Rossendale next week will see the 2 promoted clubs play each other and a chance to catch up with a former Scunthorpe player Matt Probyn.

Presidents MoM Marcus Payne.

Match Report written by Graham Migdalski

Photo Credits – Paul McDonald