Heslam Park, Scunthorpe. Saturday, October 17 at 3pm.
Middlesbrough were defeated by a dominant and well-organised Scunthorpe in a brutal away game on Saturday, slipping into the Regional 1 (North East) relegation playoff spots. Another second half fight-back secured a valuable four-try bonus point for Boro as the team refused to surrender.
Scunthorpe set the pace early with a converted try in the opening minute, collecting a chip ahead and running under the posts (7-0). Boro replied with a long period of possession, pushing up the field with a great pinballing run by flanker, Elliot Ward, a superb lineout-take by lock, Ali Lang, and fine running by centre, Aedan Moloney. Scrum half, Jack Jeffers played well, in the absence of the unavailable Sam Gaudie, but despite piling on the pressure, Middlesbrough were stymied by handling errors, and unable to breach an impressive Scunthorpe defence.
Scunthorpe eventually doubled their lead on the counter attack, and then took the score to 19-0 after their left winger beat his man on the outside. The game continued as a war of attrition, with both teams down to 14 men as the referee handed out yellow cards for separate incidents. Scunthorpe took better advantage and scored another converted try for a half time score of 26-0.
Scunthorpe started the second half with an impressive individual try from full back, Josh Lugsden (33-0), however, Boro still battled, finally getting on the scoreboard with a converted try from prop, Jack Cook. Brendan Hill secured the conversion (33-7).
Scunthorpe continued to pile on the points, with a penalty try awarded by the referee for pulling down the maul. Winger, Will Robinson scored his second try (45-7), and then Boro’s top scorer, Hill was forced to leave the field with an injury. Shay Barritt came on at Full Back and Luke moved to the wing. The second half also saw the first team debut of James Hayes.
Middlesbrough did not give in, marauding and attacking hard, trying everything. The team’s efforts were eventually rewarded when full back, Luke Roche, crossed the line in the corner, with the conversion landed by Moloney (45-14). Scunthorpe scored again on the counter, before Boro winger, Harry Bryce put in a beautiful run, beating a handful of tackles and racing under the posts (52-21). The well-deserved bonus point was secured when a delightful dummy from Jeffers at the base of the scrum, saw the ball pass through centre, Jack McPhillips, and out to Boro’s Man of the Match, Moloney who curled around the Scunthorpe defence for Boro’s fourth try, and a final score of 52-26.
Coach, Ollie Hodgson said, ‘It felt like we didn’t really get firing until 50 minutes in. The four tries show what we are capable of, but that number of turnovers against a clinical team is going to be a tough day at the office.’
Boro’s next game is at home against Alnwick, Saturday 24th October at 3pm.
