Match Report – 1st February 2025

SANDAL 33 – SCUNTHORPE 36

Scunthorpe came away with a valuable five points after a grueling afternoon at Milnthorpe Lane, the home of Sandal RUFC, to keep their 100% away win record. The lead changed hands several times as the Greens took their chances when they needed to. It was good to see Jack Murr make his first start of the season coming in as a late replacement for Will Robinson.

Scunthorpe made a bright start and after 7 minutes scored a try from Nick Dyson which was converted by Ethan Taylor. It came from a penalty which saw fly-half Taylor put the ball into the red zone. The Scunthorpe boys kept their patience, recycling the ball through the middle of the park. Scunthorpe then conceded a three-point penalty to take the score to 3-7.

Sandal began to ask questions with their powerful pack and nippy backs causing problems. After 12 minutes play the home side scored a well taken try through second row Declan Thompson. Sandal put some passages of play together keeping the ball alive and moving left and right. They sucked in all the defenders and Thompson went through to score under the posts. Hodson converted, 10-7.

Scunthorpe responded with some very pragmatic play. Sandal gave away a penalty, Taylor kicked to the 22 and from the catch and drive line out Matty Mason scored the try from the rolling maul, the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, 10-12.

The penalty saw a yellow card for Sandal. Then Scunthorpe gave away another penalty, the Sandal fullback accepted the challenge inside the 22, 13-12.

Tim Robinson’s charges could not get to get to grips with the referee’s requirements and conceded another penalty, this time a little further out towards the halfway line. Hodson confidently slotted the ball through the uprights to take their lead to 16-12.

In an almost carbon copy of his first try Matthew Mason claimed his second. Another penalty to Scunthorpe for not rolling away by Sandal, Taylor kicked it to the five-metre line and the well-practised catch and drive allowed Mason to score the try. Unfortunately, the conversion drifted wide.

If Sandal continued to get to the wrong side of the match official Scunthorpe would gladly accept the chance to put points on the board. This despite the complaints from the home supporters about their style of play. After 36 minutes Sandal kicked another penalty (their third) through Hodson to go back into the lead – no complaints from the home supporters! Sandal stretched their lead just before half time, this time a quick tap penalty from centre Luke Adams scored, Hodson converted, and the half time score was 26-17.

The nine-point lead was a worry and Scunthorpe really needed to take control of the game and not give the initiative to Sandal who had the ability to punish them. Three minutes in and Ben Hyde scored a good try. A good kick from Ethan Taylor saw Sandal knock on Scunthorpe developed the play and forced the penalty. A quick tap and go from James Dyson saw him make a break, he got held up but offloaded to Hyde who crashed over, Ethan Taylor converted, and the Greens were back to within two points.

Five minutes later Sandal pushed the points difference back to nine with a well taken try by their number 12 Luke Adams. From a penalty the ball was kicked to the 22, the line out saw the ball came out to Adams who dodged through, very skilfully, evading tacklers to score under the posts, 33-24.

Our fifth try came just on the hour from James Dyson. It came via scrum in which Sandal were forced into committing a penalty five metres out. Scunthorpe enacted the ‘Bridlington’ and came up with the try which Ethan Taylor converted, to once again to go within two points. Scunthorpe were playing much better and could sense the victory. Their superior fitness and never say die attitude was going to pay dividends for the second game running.

The Greens managed the last 15 minutes perfectly. Josh Lugsden should have scored in the corner as he ‘skinned’ his oppo but lost his footing just shy of the line. Scunthorpe kept the ball and went again. Lugsden was involved once more as he raced into the 22. The speedster was held up but once again the ball was retained, From the ruck five metres out Laurence Pearce timed his run perfectly and crashed over to score the try, Ethan Taylor missed the conversion and for the second time in the game Scunthorpe were back in the lead at 33-36.

All they had to do was to continue to manage the game as they had done thus far and keep the home side in their own half. Playing time added on Sandal got a penalty and kicked deep into the Scunthorpe 22, Josh Lugsden leapt like salmon to keep the ball in play allowing Scunthorpe to clear their lines and see out a well-earned victory against a very good Sandal outfit.

Scunthorpe face another tough game next week with the in-form Heath coming to Heslam Park to play a rearranged game that was cancelled due to the inclement weather. One of the key factors to Scunthorpe’s success is the ability to dig in and even though they may not be playing champagne rugby they have learned how to win games by sticking together and never giving up.

Match Report written by Steve Williams

MOM – TBC

Link to Sandal’s Electronic Programme – Sandal 1XV v Scunthorpe 1st February 2025 -Digital Advance Preview – Official Matchday Programme