SCUNTHORPE 52 – MIDDLESBROUGH 24
The First XV returned to Heslam Park this week, welcoming Middlesbrough, after lst weeks win against Driffield, Scunthorpe arrived looking to build on that result.
There were three changes to the forward pack. Will Dale replaced the injured Alfie Taylor in the front row, Rory Rendall-Tyrrell moved into the second row in place of Nick Dyson, and Alfie Oldridge started at blindside flanker.
The backline saw two changes, with Will Dark coming in at scrum-half for the injured Joey Mowbray, while Jack Murr moved into the centre.
On the bench were Jack Rowbotham, Lewis Meyer, Will Horner, Lewis Talbot and Jack Brunt, with the latter two returning from injury.
Middlesbrough kicked the game off, but it was Scunthorpe who opened the scoring. A dropped ball was quickly regathered by the hosts, creating an immediate overlap. Will Robinson broke clear and chipped ahead. A misjudgement by the Middlesbrough defence saw the ball bounce kindly into the hands of Jack Murr, who dived over for the opening try. The conversion was successful, giving Scunthorpe a 7-0 lead.
The home side soon added a second. Following a break from Ethan Heath-Drury, the centre used excellent footwork before timing his pass perfectly for Will Dark to run in under the posts. The conversion was added, extending the advantage to 14-0.
Scunthorpe continued to pile on the pressure. A long miss pass from Ethan Taylor found Will Robinson on the wing, and the winger stepped inside his defender before racing over in the corner. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the score at 19-0.
The bonus-point try arrived through James Dyson. Awarded a penalty on the five-metre line, Scunthorpe opted for a quick tap. Matthew Mason delivered an excellent pass out the back to Dyson, who powered his way across the line. The conversion was successful and the hosts led 26-0.
There were no further scores before the break, and the referee brought an end to a dominant first-half performance from Scunthorpe.
Half-time: Scunthorpe 26 – 0 Middlesbrough
Scunthorpe got the second half underway and wasted little time in extending their lead. Following a solid scrum, the ball found Ethan Taylor, who produced a moment of individual brilliance by beating three defenders on his way to the try line. The conversion was successful, making it 33-0.
Middlesbrough eventually got themselves on the scoreboard with a close-range pick-and-go try from inches out. The conversion was added and the score moved to 33-7.
The hosts then benefited from a penalty try after a driving maul was illegally collapsed by the Middlesbrough pack, taking the score to 40-7.
Scunthorpe responded with another score of their own through Josh Lugsden. After securing possession from a lineout, the ball was moved swiftly through the backs before reaching Lugsden. The winger used his pace to beat the final defender and score in the corner. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 45-7.
The visitors grabbed their second try of the afternoon through their centre, who showed impressive strength to break through the Scunthorpe defence. The conversion was successful, reducing the deficit to 45-14.
Scunthorpe continued their attacking display as substitute Lewis Talbot crossed for another try. Good link-up play with fellow replacement Jack Brunt created a two-on-one opportunity, allowing Talbot to run in unopposed. The conversion was successful, stretching the lead to 52-14.
Middlesbrough responded immediately with a try straight from the restart. The conversion was unsuccessful, making it 52-19.
The visitors secured their try bonus point late in the game when a well-timed pass sent their centre clear to score. The conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the score at 52-24.
There were no further additions to the scoreboard, and the referee’s final whistle confirmed another comfortable victory for Scunthorpe, lifting them up to third place in the league table.
Full-time: Scunthorpe 52 – 24 Middlesbrough
Match Report written by Charley Wilkinson
MOM –
Link to Middlesbrough’s Match Report – Scunthorpe 52 – Middlesbrough 26 – MRUFC
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SECOND TEAM
LOUGHBOROUGH 31 – SCUNTHORPE 24
The Stags travelled for their third away fixture of the season, taking on a strong Loughborough side as they looked to put right the mistakes from last week’s performance.
A special mention goes to Reece Clark and Austyn Stow, who both made their senior debuts after stepping up from the Colts squad. The pair started on the bench and marked an important milestone in their rugby journey.
The match kicked off with Loughborough flying out of the blocks. The hosts secured the four-try bonus point during the first half and looked to have one hand on the game as they built a commanding 24-0 lead.
However, Scunthorpe responded before the break through scrum-half Liam Barrett. After several minutes of sustained pressure deep inside the Loughborough 22, Barrett spotted a gap around the ruck and darted through to dive over in the corner. The conversion was successful, reducing the deficit to 24-7.
There was no further change to the scoreboard before the interval, with the hosts taking a 24-7 lead into half-time.
HT: Loughborough 24 – 7 Scunthorpe Stags
The second half began brightly for the visitors, who were first to strike. A successful lineout provided the platform for a driving maul that rumbled towards the try line. Hooker Chris Murray-Auckland eventually broke free from the maul to score out wide. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 24-12.
Loughborough responded with their fifth try after Scunthorpe were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for repeated high tackles. The hosts made their numerical advantage count, crossing the line and adding the conversion to extend their lead to 31-12.
To their credit, the Stags refused to give in. Some excellent phase play from the forwards drew in the Loughborough defence before Coel Gosling delivered a perfectly timed pass to debutant Austyn Stow, who crossed in the corner for his first senior try. The conversion was unsuccessful, making it 31-17.
Scunthorpe continued to push and secured a try bonus point in the closing stages. A flowing backs move and some superb handling created space for Charley Aitkenhead, who raced over in the corner. The conversion was successful, cutting the gap to just seven points at 31-24.
Despite the late comeback, time ultimately ran out for the Stags as the referee brought the game to a close. While the result did not go their way, it was a much-improved performance from Scunthorpe, who continue to show signs of progress and look ever closer to recording their next victory.
FT: Loughborough 31 – 24 Scunthorpe Stags
DEVELOPMENT TEAM
DRIFFIELD 93 – SCUNTHORPE 10
Match report pending
Mom – TBC
COLTS
MARKET RASEN 14 – SCUNTHORPE 55
The Colts travelled to local rivals Market Rasen looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, and they did so in emphatic fashion with a dominant display.
Scunthorpe made a bright start from the opening whistle, with the forwards laying the platform through a series of powerful carries. Their strong work up front was rewarded as Casey Hatfield crossed twice in the opening half. The backs also impressed, moving the ball with pace and precision to create opportunities for Jake Ireson and James Tomlinson, who both grabbed braces of their own, while Alfie Snow added another score in the corner.
The referee blew for half-time with the Colts holding a commanding advantage after an excellent opening 40 minutes.
The visitors showed no signs of easing up after the break. Josh Quibell added his name to the scoresheet, while Casey Hatfield completed his hat-trick to cap off an outstanding individual performance.
Although Scunthorpe created several more opportunities, they were unable to add further points to their tally. Market Rasen continued to battle and were rewarded with a couple of late consolation tries, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Colts proved too strong throughout the contest and secured another impressive victory on the road, extending their unbeaten run for the season.
FT: Market Rasen 14 – 55 Scunthorpe Colts
Mom – Alfie Kelly
Match Report written by Charley Wilkinson