Sat 4 Dec 2021
On the back of some recent frustrating performances North produced their best display to date running in 10 try’s against a side who had previously only tasted defeat twice this season. A George Newman run set up Callum Bradbury for the opening score with Elliott Murphy converting. The hosts showed early dominance in the scrum and from a scrum penalty the ball was moved wide for Jordan Burgess to score. Scunthorpe then missed 2 fairly simple kicks at goal before Gareth Bladen put Luis Evitt in for a try which Murphy converted from the touch line to open up a 19 point lead. Gregg Szczepanski then rounded off a fine team effort with Morgan French providing the final assist to secure the bonus point. The first half scoring was completed with a great solo effort from Marley Finn who evaded several defenders to touch down, Murphy adding the extras for a 31 - 0 lead at the break.
The second half started with a period of sustained pressure from the visitors and a succession of penalties resulted in James Peach receiving a yellow card having only just come off the bench to replace the injured James Morgan on the wing. Having absorbed the pressure with some great defence, skipper Jonah Boyce leading by example, North again went on the offensive, Jordan Burgess chasing his own kick ahead to touch down for his second score which Murphy again converted from wide out. Scunthorpe finally got on the scoreboard with a unconverted try before Evitt bagged his second try after a great run from Szczepanski. Another team effort followed with George Newman finishing a play involving several phases and great handling for a converted score. Patrick Smallman came into the back row for the closing stages before Boyce won his side a penalty and veteran scrum half Gareth Bladen produced the try of the game taking a quick tap to score from half way. George Newman added his second try which Murphy converted before the visitors added a consolation try at the death to complete the scoring.
Several players could have won the man of the match award, Gregg Szczepanski who relished playing in his more accustomed role at centre getting the vote from his team mates. The win elevates North to fourth place in the league table ahead of next weeks visit to Sheffield who sit second.
