SHEFFIELD 80 – SCUNTHORPE 0
Scunthorpe visited Dore Moor for the second time this season but did not play Sheffield Tigers.
Sheffield’s home ground was not available due to cricket, so the game was moved to the Tigers ground.
Sheffield had already won the league and Scunthorpe were relegated so in essence there were 2 levels between these two teams, it was hoped that common sense prevailed and that both sides would declare this match a dead rubber, this was particularly relevant on Scunthorpe’s behalf with the number of injuries and players not available.
However, the two clubs could not agree and the game went ahead, Scunthorpe called upon 4 regular second team players to make their debuts.
Tim Robinson was forced into making eight changes from the previous week’s encounter at Darlington, in the starting lineup Cameron Christer made his full debut and on the bench Oliver Jepson, Henry Dawson and Ben Dealtry also played a big part in this game.
What was encouraging was that the squad of twenty contained fifteen home grown players that had progressed through Scunthorpe’s excellent youth programme.
The first half showed great promise with ‘The Greens’ competing evenly, however after two minutes they run out of defenders and Sheffield scored with two minutes on the clock, 7-0.
Scunthorpe came back at Sheffield to play the best rugby of the game in a twenty-minute period which saw them ask questions of the home defence they were camped in the Sheffield 22 and kept the ball intelligently probing the line.
Unfortunately, the referee decided to penalise Scunthorpe, they surrendered control and Sheffield got out of jail, The Greens went straight back into the 22 and began pressurising again, a couple of penalties went their way one of which resulted in a yellow card for the Sheffield second row, unfortunately, over enthusiastic play meant that the chance was surrendered with a knock-on.
Scunthorpe were not just here to make numbers up and were giving as good as they got. After the respite Sheffield kicked into gear again. The Sheffield tight head prop was unable to take the pressure and was pulling back the scrum, however, the referee did not interpret it that way and gave a penalty to Sheffield, the ball was moved out to strong running centre Will Smith who ran through the defence, creating an overlap for the try, No.10 Callum Posa converted, 14-0.
Shortly after a third try for Sheffield came once again centre Smith causing the damage, 21-0.
Jack Murr and Troy Edwards were injured and replaced by Henry Dawson and Oliver Jepson, Lewis Meyer took a rest and allowed Alfie Taylor to enter the fray.
On 27 minutes Sheffield scored again, Scunthorpe were really pressurising with good defence but just running out of numbers, as half time approached with the score at 26-0 there were many positives to come out of the first half as Scunthorpe played as well as they have done all season.
The big question was could the valiant Scunthorpe players hold out and prevent the onslaught, this question was answered straight from the kick off when Sheffield’s influential flanker Felix Crapper caught the ball and ran through the defence to offload to scrum half Elliot Fisher, Posa converted, 33-0.
The floodgates were now open and apart from a great fifteen-minute spell when the Greens kept the opposition at bay, Sheffield went on to score a further seven tries to clinch the victory 80-0.
Sheffield showed what a good side they are and how they are deserved winners of the league.
However, despite the odds Scunthorpe did not just lay down they fulfilled the fixture with pride and with passion.
Early in the season Tim Robinson’s men had suffered similar defeats with a full-strength side, credit must go to all the players and the coaches for getting a side out in what was just one game too far, the Greens will have a very well-earned rest as they wait to hear their destination after the play-offs have been completed.
It has by no means been their worst season and as they look to recoup and rebuild for 26-27.
The future is good – the future is GREEN
Match report written by Steve Williams