Match Reports – 22nd & 23rd February 2025

FIRST XV

ILKLEY 13 – SCUNTHORPE 27

Scunthorpe arrived at Ilkley Stacks Field on a sunny day. There were a number of changes in the team with Jack Murr in for the injured Will Robinson, a change at scrum half with Joey Mowbrey going onto the bench and Will Harrison coming into replace him & Elliot Saltmarsh coming in for the unavailable Marcus Payne.  There was a cold breeze blowing down the pitch and Scunthorpe played with this and the sun at their backs in the 1st half. The greens were off to a flying start similar to the start of the season. Scunthorpe pressed and were camped in the Ilkley 22. Good pressure by Scunthorpe and a quick tap brought a yellow card for Ilkley for not retiring the resquisite 10 metres. Scunthorpe pressured and in going over the line James Dyson had the ball knocked from his hands. From the goal line drop out the greens continued to play in the Ilkley 22 and after numerous rucks the ball came out to Elliot Saltmarsh who showed an outrageous dummy and the Ilkley defence parted like the Red Sea for him to score a try. Converted by Ethan Taylor 11 mins.

Ilkley 0 Scunthorpe 7

Ilkley kicked off again and despite a good exit play by Scunthorpe Ilkley started to get into the game resulting in Scunthorpe being caught offside and penalised. From the resulting penalty Ilkley were on the scoreboard.

Ilkley 3 Scunthorpe 7 (18 mins).

Play then continued in the Scunthorpe half. A quick Ilkley play across the pitch, Laurence Pearce went in for a tackle and the player started falling and Laurence was unfortunate to be given a Yellow card for a high tackle despite endeavouring to pull out. From the ensuing penalty Ilkley kicked for the corner. From the line out Scunthorpe were penalised for pulling an arm. Ilkley took a quick tap and played into midfield under the posts, from the ruck Ilkley played back towards the blind side creating an overlap and a quick chase back to make a covering tackle Eliott Saltmarsh managed to dislodge the ball just as the Ilkley player went over the try line. Scunthorpe continued to defend but were penalised for a late tackle from which Ilkley kicked for goal but missed. Scunthorpe now with 14 men were under the cosh but defended and managed to keep Ilkley out. Laurence Pearce returned to the field and Scunthorpe then took the game back to Ilkley and after a spell of pressure Ilkley were penalised for being offside in front of the posts. Ethan Taylor slotted the kick from 18 metres out.

Ilkley 3 Scunthorpe 10 (37 mins)

Played continued to 1/2 time without any further score.

Scunthorpe kicked off the 2nd half into the breeze. Play then was toing and froing with neither side gaining any foothold in the game. Ilkley found their way into the Scunthorpe half, Scunthorpe tried to run the ball away but a player became isolated and was penalised for holding on at the ruck. The Ilkley fullback kicked the penalty from just inside the Scunthorpe half.

Ilkley 6 Scunthorpe 10 (46 mins.)

Scunthorpe continued to attack in the Ilkley half but a misguided kick fell into the arms of the Ilkley fullback who with the help of the forwards recycled the ball which came out to the Ilkley 13 who eluded the Scunthorpe tacklers and ran from his 22 to score under the Scunthorpe posts. This was converted.

Ilkley 13 Scunthorpe 10. (55 mins)

Scunthorpe then continued to attack and play in the Ilkley half. Numerous plays and ball carries culminated in Laurence Pearce running at the Ilkley defence and being brought down just short of the line but reached out like Inspector Gadget and reach over to touch the ball down on the line. This was converted by Ethan Taylor.

Ilkley 13 Scunthorpe 17 (68 mins).

From the kick off Scunthorpe played into the Ilkley half but lost the ball which Ilkley kicked into the Scunthorpe half a carry initiated by Lewis Talbot then picked up and carried on by Joey Mowbray who was then high tackled a penalty was quickly taken by James Dyson, Ilkley failed to retreat the required 10 metres and were then penalised 10 metres up the pitch. Scunthorpe kicked for the corner and from the found themselves 10 metres from the Ilkley line. The ball was taken by Ben Hyde who then played the ball off the top and Joey Mowbrey played up the blind side supported by Matty Mason. Unfortunately the ball was lost and Ilkley kicked for touch but missed and the ball was collected by Lewis Talbot who ran into midfield before putting out a long pass to Josh Lugsden who ran to within 5 metres of the Ilkley line before being caught, the referee penalised Ilkley but Scunthorpe played with the advantage, the ball came out to the influential Laurence Pearce who ran at the Ilkley defence before being stopped in front of the posts. The ball was recycled once more and came to Ben Hyde running a great line he again was held up but from a quick ruck the ball came to Grant Elliot who crossed the line to extend the Scunthorpe lead. The try went unconverted.

Ilkley 13 Scunthorpe 22 (73 mins).

Ilkley kicked off once more but Scunthorpe now with their tails up played through the hands and carried into the Ilkley half. Ilkley brought play to a halt just inside their own have but failed to roll away and were subsequently penalised. However there was a comment made to the referee which he didn’t take kindly to and moved the penalty 10 metres on. Scunthorpe kicked for the corner. A line out catch by Ben Hyde secured the ball but instead of the catch and drive Scunthorpe dragged in the Ilkley defenders before a break out by James Dyson saw the ball going across the field and once more carried into contact by Laurence Pearce further quick rucks saw the ball come back towards the near side touch line and a pass from the busy Joey Mowbray fed the quick ball from the ruck to Lewis Talbot who went over to score the try giving Scunthorpe the try bonus. The try went unconverted.

Ilkley 13 Scunthorpe 27.  (73 mins).

There was no further score. It was a well executed and deserved win with the squad players coming in and doing a job to see the greens over the line.

Match Report written by Graham Migdalski

MOM – Elliot Saltmarsh

Photo Credits – Stu Locking

Link to Ilkley’s Electronic Programme – 1st XV Match Programme | Ilkley Rugby Club 

Ilkley’s Photographer links are – Ilkley RFC vs Scunthorpe RUFC, 22nd February 2025 by ruggerpix – buy prints & digital downloads

WOMEN’S TEAM

SCUNTHORPE 50 – 5 WEST BRIDGFORD

SCUNTHORPE 41 – 0 STAMFORD

Scunthorpe Women travelled to West Bridgford for a three way development fixture with the hosts and Stamford. The day consisted of three 30 min games.

We were on second of the day versus West Bridgford. As we only travelled with 10 players we borrowed 5 from Stamford. We had some great go forward and all the forwards made inroads into the WB defence. We were still able to maintain decent structure even when borrowing players and they filled in gaps brilliantly for us. Tries came from Annie her first one for Scunthorpe . Ewa scored and Tatty’s try was the pick from a green ball set up , her first try too Scunthorpe ran out winners 22-5

The second game we again borrowed players this time from West Bridgford to play Stamford . Our momentum continued and the black forward carries gave the backs loads of ball to play off . Again the borrowed players slotted in seamlessly and commented on how organised we were as a team.

Try of the day went to Ewa as she collected the ball from the KO and ran 95 metres to score evading multiple tackles along the way . Final score 41-0 to Scunthorpe.

Thank you to our travelling support , all in all a fab day out for the greenies

Forward of the Day : Jodie

Back of the Day : Ewa

Oppos players : Dawn / Ewa

Match Report Written by Becky Clark