HUDDERSFIELD 30 SCUNTHORPE 40
Scunthorpe visited Huddersfield for only the third competitive fixture between the two clubs. Huddersfield were relegated from National 2 and after last week’s impressive show by the Greens it promised to be a great match.
It was the home side that got the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty in the 2nd minute by fly half Will Milner. In the next twenty minutes Scunthorpe picked up from where they left off last week with three very well taken tries all converted by the in-form boot of Ethan Taylor. The first try came after 5 minutes from the old faithful ‘Bridlington’. It was claimed by James Dyson, but it was a great team effort from the pack. The second try was scored 7 minutes later by the other Dyson – Nick. This was a fantastic effort which started from an infringement from ‘Field’. Taylor hoofed the ball deep but the Green line went south and Huddersfield cleared their lines. Marcus Payne stole the Huddersfield line out and as the ball bobbled about James Dyson scooped it up and off he went. Nick Dyson was in support and as his brother was held up Nick gratefully accepted the offload and strolled over – 3-14. The trio of touchdowns was completed in the 16th minute and was another forwards’ try. Huddersfield gave away another penalty, Scunthorpe took the quick tap, but Huddersfield No8 held back a player illegally and was sent to the bin. Ethan Taylor once again booted the ball deep. From the ensuing catch and drive line out, it was James Dyson who claimed his brace of tries. The score was now 3-21 and the supporters were beginning to pinch themselves at what they were seeing. However, unlike last week the opposition had more to say and Tim Robinson’s Green Giants lost their mojo. Huddersfield put together a good ten minutes of possession aided by a far too high penalty count from the away team. Scunthorpe responded with some continuity, but some sloppy handling failed to add to the scoreboard. The Scunthorpe scrum was on great form putting the home side under real pressure, but the backs did not click as well as they did last week. Huddersfield were given another yellow card; this time it was the ever-reliable Lewis Talbot that fielded a high kick and was taken out in the air. Huddersfield recouped and another penalty gave Milner an easy 3-point penalty to move to 6-21. Just before half time Huddersfield scored a suspect try when they turned over Scunthorpe and broke free. The big centre Lewis Workman appeared to drop the ball in the act of scoring, but the referee allowed it, Milner converted and at half time it was 11-21.
Scunthorpe kicked into gear straight after the break with the pack destroying the Huddersfield scrum. Ben Hyde kept the ball at the base as they drove the opposition back giving them no option but to pop up. Ethan Taylor kicked to the corner and the highly functioning line out drove on, forcing the defence to pull down the maul and the match official awarded a penalty try – taking the score to 11-28. Huddersfield came back again they pressed the Green 22 but the solid defence held tight for a few phases. From a quick tap penalty Huddersfield claimed a try from the nippy scrum half Matthew Briggs, Milner converted, and Huddersfield managed to keep the gap at ten points. From the kickoff Huddersfield collected the ball, but the Greens drove on and stripped the ball, which was moved quickly through the hands to put Will Robinson in the corner. Ethan Taylor converted sweetly from the touchline taking the score to a comfortable 18-35. Scunthorpe had their worst patch of play and for a good twenty minutes the game stagnated with both sides making unforced errors including far too many penalties. On the hour Huddersfield scored a try through Will Hammond to bring the score back to a ten-point margin at 25-35 which was far too tight. After an altercation on the touchline Ethan Heath-Drury was yellow-carded along with a Huddersfield player. Scunthorpe really needed to get the next score to put the game out of reach and this they did through Will Dale. Another huge penalty punt from Ethan Taylor put the ball into the defending 22. From the catch and drive Scunthorpe drove their oppos 20 metres for Dale to score. The fifteen-point lead was enough with three minutes to go and the last act of the game saw Huddersfield score a consolation try through Workman, converted by Milner final score 30-40.
The score flattered Huddersfield somewhat and the pack’s domination at scrum and lineout was not reflected in the final score. Too many errors and silly penalties allowed Huddersfield back into the game too often. However, the coaches will be more than happy with the outcome as Scunthorpe sit atop the league table and are the only side to claim two maximum five-point wins so far. Next week sees local rivals Driffield visit Heslam Park for what will be another tough encounter.
