Match Reports – 8th & 9th February 2025

SCUNTHORPE 24 – HEATH 35

Scunthorpe suffered their third home defeat against a top four team and although the try count was equal at 4 apiece, Heath had 21 points on the board after 7 minutes and they kicked better. This meant the Greens were unable to recover from this disastrous start. Scunthorpe had turned the Halifax side over at their place and they came to Heslam Park all guns blazing in search of revenge.

Heath scored their first try with only 30 seconds on the clock, Ethan Taylor tried to clear his lines but was charged down, the ball went straight into the hands of hooker McFadden and he scored what must be the quickest try seen at Heslam Park in many a year, it was converted by flyhalf Johnson, 0-7.

The second Heath try followed almost from the kick off. Heath kicked a ‘Garryowen’, and Scunthorpe allowed the ball to bounce, and you can’t do that in this game, the ball popped up for the left-winger, Haynes who raced 50 m to score under the post which was converted by Johnson, 0-14.

Scunthorpe recovered, temporarily, and put some good phases together, spearheaded by Laurence Pearce as he ran through the Heath No 10. However, the recent home voodoo struck again as the Greens tried to force the play with a speculative long pass which was intercepted by the strong running Heath centre Harriott-Brown, conversion by Johnson, 0-21.

Heath collected their fourth and bonus point try Heath came from poor a decision in the dead ball line. From the scrum Heath kept possession, tried to drop a goal, that didn’t work, but they kept their patience. They had a scrum 10m out, the ball went to the left-hand side through quick hands and fullback Jack Bruce squeezed into the corner, Johnson missed the kick. 0-26.

There was an eerie silence around Heslam Park as both sets of supporters couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing. Tim Robinson’s team faced their most challenging situation thus far this season and they began to address this on 18 minutes. After a deliberate knock on from Heath scrum half 5m out Scunthorpe opted for the catch and drive line out, the only way Heath could defend it was to pull down the rolling maul. The referee issued the second yellow card and had no option but to give a penalty try. 7-26.

Scunthorpe had their best chance to get back on level terms as they faced 13 men for the next 10 minutes. As hard as they tried, they could not make the extra two men count and as is often the case in such circumstances Heath played out of their skins and were very crafty, to prevent Scunthorpe from adding to the score sheet. This proved to be the defining period of the game. Just before half time Marcus Payne scored a try to give some hope going into the break. Two penalties in succession saw the Greens getting to within 5m of the line. From the line out the ball went to the back, Marcus Payne leapt to set up the rolling maul, they drove, they re-grouped, and Marcus got the push over try. Ethan Taylor missed the extra two but as half time came the score of 12-26 gave some hope.

The second half saw the home side use their experience to set up shop in the Heath 22, but it just wouldn’t come as the visitors defended with gusto. Heath just about sealed victory as they opted to kick two long range penalties to keep three scores in front. The third Scunthorpe try came for Matty Mason, it was from another penalty – catch and drive line out that worked to perfection, Taylor missed the conversion, 17-32.

Heath used their experience to manage the game and the referee by giving away a lot of penalties, but Scunthorpe couldn’t quite turn them into points. The Greens kept the ball kept and pressed the line. Eventually a penalty was given to Scunthorpe 5m out but once again the chance went begging. They were running out of chances! Heath worked their way back down the pitch and Johnson converted a drop goal to keep the home side at bay. 17-35.

Scunthorpe were now looking to collect the bonus point try to salvage something from the game. It came from Lewis Talbot from another penalty and catch and drive line out. This time the ball went wide and good link play from James Dyson and Josh Lugsden put Talbot in the corner, Ethan Taylor converted from wide to put the Greens within two converted tries, but time was against them as full time saw Heath win the game 24-35.

The coaches and players will take a long look at this game and work hard during the week put things right so that they can play to their full potential at home and manage the game. Despite the disastrous start, Scunthorpe rallied, with man of the match Nick Dyson putting in a shift. Both sides scored four tries yet the margin of 11 points from the boot of Johnson was the key.  The Greens face another challenging game next week as they travel up the A1 to face inform Alnwick.

Match Report written by Steve Williams

MOM – Nick Dyson

Link to Heath’s Match Report – Heath RUFC Halifax | Heath Rugby 

Photography from Paul McDonald & from Heath’s photographer – Bev Clough Photography