Scunthorpe travelled to Kelleythorpe to complete the rearranged fixture from the cold snap back in December. Scunthorpe were in a relegation battle back then, and that has not changed since. Scunthorpe have only played twice since the earlier fixture was postponed, both away and both lost. They sit 2nd bottom, still on 15 points, with just the one win so far having got most of their points from bonus points : six Try Bonus and five Losing Bonus points.
Our first meeting back in September ended in a comfortable win, 31 – 55 to Driffield. Well, that was what the records will show – truth was that it was a very tight game until Scunthorpe had a player sent off for a high tackle. From that point, while Scunthorpe kept at the task they had no answer for Driffield’s pace and power. Driffield finishing with nine tries.
In today’s game, Driffield started well enough, with a try from Thundercliffe on seven minutes, rumbled through from a maul six metres out. Watts converted. Driffield 7 – 0 Scunthorpe
Ten minutes later Watts converted a penalty to extend the lead. Driffield 10 – 0 Scunthorpe
A few minutes later Scunthorpe got the chance to get on the board, but their penalty attempt went wide to the left. But they continued the pressure and a try came came two minutes later, wide out to the left. The conversion was well taken and they were in the fight. Driffield 10 – 7 Scunthorpe
But their undoing seemed to come shortly after the restart when they were given a yellow card. Gleeson seized the opportunity and galloped through the middle, making a straightforward conversion for Watts. Driffield 17 – 7 Scunthorpe
Almost from the restart, Driffield lost Thundercliffe to a yellow card. Eventually, with their man back on, Scunthorpe were able to convert the pressure to score a try when the Scunthorpe 14 cut back inside to score under the sticks, converted. Driffield 17 – 14 Scunthorpe. The half finished shortly after.
Just two minutes into the second half, Scunthorpe slotted a penalty from the 22 to make the scores even. Driffield 17 – 17 Scunthorpe
Driffield returned to Scunthorpe territory and put them under pressure until, two yards out, the defence transgressed and lost a player to a yellow card. Driffield opted for the scrum option, and Jenkinson picked up from the back and went in for the score, converted by Watts. Driffield 24 – 17 Scunthorpe
Dinsdale added to the pain three minutes later, with another of his jinking runs, converted by Watts, giving the try bonus. Driffield 31 – 17 Scunthorpe
But Scunthorpe were not down yet and came straight back into Driffield territory, pinning them in their 22. Eventually, with almost 30 minutes of the half gone, the pressure paid off and they went in for the try, but the conversion was missed. Driffield 31 – 22 Scunthorpe
Driffield responded ten minutes later with a penalty by Watts. Driffield 34 – 22 Scunthorpe
Again, Scunthorpe came back at Driffield and, with two minutes left on the clock, got an unconverted try to give them two bonus points. Driffield 34 – 27 Scunthorpe
Summing up, Scunthorpe thoroughly deserved their points through hard work and perseverance. Driffield will be pleased to get five points to maintain the pressure on the top teams, but know that they made hard work of it.