Match Reports-18th October 2025

1st team

Scunthorpe 27 – Fylde 45

Scunthorpe faced a side in Fylde who have a great rugby pedigree and who were in a good vein of form.

The Greens needed to play for 80 minutes if they were to give themselves a chance.

From the kick-off Fylde were awarded a scrum after a knock on at kick-off, the ball went wide and after two or three phases the experienced number eight Fairbrother saw the gap close to the line, scored the try with centre Daniel Cassidy converting from the touchline, 0-7.

Scunthorpe strike back five minutes later with a well worked try from Harry Wright when Scunthorpe were awarded a penalty, Will Robinson kicked to the corner to allow the catch and drive line out to operate, which it did to perfection. The Scunthorpe maul functioned extremely well, and Harry Wright secured the try which was converted by Will Dark, 7-7.

The Greens then went into the lead on 12 minutes with a great try from Josh Lugsden. It too came from a Fylde penalty; another great line out saw the ball in the capable hands of Laurence Pearce, the big centre went route 1 with the crash ball.

A deft back of the hand pass kept the continuity as the ball sped along the back line ending up in the Josh Lugsdens possession, ‘Luggy’ had a lot to do but managed to dive over in the corner using this power and pace, the conversion was unsuccessful 12-7.

On 20 minutes Fylde scored again from a dubious penalty, they kicked to the corner and from the ensuing line out hooker Trippier crashed over, Cassidy missing the conversion, 12-12.

Unfortunately, winger Liam Brunt was seriously injured and had to leave the field to be replaced by Ethan Taylor, positional changes were required as Ethan Heath-Drury moved out. Apart from a couple of mistakes Scunthorpe were playing well and defending valiantly, especially on their own line. Laurence Pearce was defending a ruck when a Fylde player flew into the ruck illegally, the match official deemed a penalty was sufficient much to the disbelief of the home supporters.

The centre was clearly shaken up and had to leave the field 5 minutes later to be replaced by Joey Mowbray. On 26 minutes Fylde scored again, Scunthorpe cleared their lines after some good defence but only as far as the 22.

Centre Cassidy burst through the middle breaking through a tackle to score under the post, Cassidy converted his own try, 12-19.

Fylde were playing some excellent rugby with their speedy backs and nimble forwards combining well, this continued pressure on Scunthorpes strong defence saw a breakthrough for Fylde when wing forward Ashcroft dived over for an unconverted try, 12-24.

The Greens were still in the game and needed to dig in if they were to get anything out of the game. They showed real bulldog spirit when Fylde broke out of defence, one of their speedsters was away and sure to score.

However, winger Jack Leggate chased him down and tackled the player inside the Scunthorpe 22, the ball was scrambled to touch for a Fylde line out 40m out.

Ben Hyde stole the ball and the home side counter attacked. The ball went wide, and Scunthorpe began to play like we know they can. Good approach work from Harry Wright and Ben Hyde put Will Dark in the corner for a great try, he missed the conversion but gave hope at 17-24.

Another blow came when Fylde scored another try from a dubious penalty. Full back Turner collected the five points with Cassidy converting. Half time came and at 17-31, the Lancashire outfit were catchable but only just.

Scunthorpe started the second half brightly with a well taken try from Daniel Longden coming from a penalty, Ethan Taylor kicked it to the corner and the catch and drive line out worked to perfection.

Scunthorpe kept their patience, recycled the ball and Longden dived over to collect a well-earned try. Will Dark just missed the conversion 22-31.

Tim Robinson’s men were not giving in and defending their line superbly. Fylde were held up over the line, so Taylor took a goal line drop out. Unfortunately, if the ball does not find space on the field the Fylde backs will catch and run all day. A lapse in concentration and some poor tackling allowed big strong running centre Sam Stott an easy try, which Cassidy converted, 22-38.

Unlike previous games Scunthorpe did not capitulate and kept going, sadly, talisman Ben Hyde sustained a nasty ankle injury and was replace by Rory Rendall-Tyrell.

The Greens then scored a try through Josh Lugsden. Scunthorpe fed the ball wide ‘Luggy’ squeezed in the corner and after a deliberation between assistant referee and referee the try was given. Ethan Taylor missed the conversion, 27-38 back in the game once again.

Scunthorpe managed to keep the penalty count down and although they suffered injuries as in weeks before they stuck together and played for each other.

They had a chance to get with in a score of the leaders as Josh Lugsden unfortunately missed out on his hat trick try. Fylde had other ideas, and they sealed the victory with a converted try by Maguire on 73 minutes.

Although the score of 27-45 looks convincing it was far from it as Scunthorpe gave as good as they got for much of the game. Fylde rode their luck and injuries for the Greens had an impact, but Tim Robinson and the coaching staff will take a lot of heart from this game.

Scunthorpe will need their bulldog spirit next week as they visit fellow strugglers Hull where they have a great chance of securing their first win.

Match Report written by Steve Williams

MOM – Daniel Longden

Photo credit to Paul Mcdonald