RI Travelled to Scunthorpe for their first ever match in Lincolnshire and met a Scunthorpe side quite ready to throw everything at RI to win. The frost had melted nicely and the sun was shining in perfect winter rugby conditions. From the warmup it was evident that the Scunthorpe forwards were going to be a tough challenge and they straight away made good use of their bigger size by retaining lots of possession. Effective mauling and great phases with a big forward always being on hand to take the pass forced RI onto the defensive. RI's tackling was great and Scunthorpe were held up over the line from a 5 metre penalty. The pressure told shortly afterwards with a clever blindside dart from number 9 to open a 5-0 lead.
The restart brought more of the same with RI's players having to put their bodies on the line to keep Scunthorpe out - Laura Dolby expressing relief at being busy with linesman duties! RI's defence eventually cracked after a quick tap on a 5 metre penalty as the powerful number 10 crashed over, 12 - 0. This second try fired up the RI team and we finally saw some good possession, a great rolling maul getting the field position and then flanker Jenny Harvey running across the face of the defence until she found a gap to squeeze through and cover the 20 metres to the line. RI looked to be back into match as Ruth Laybourn made a break - only to be stopped by a high-tackle and a resultant sin binning for the green's fullback.
The second half started a the last finished, this time good forward work (and a strong run from Rachael Harrower) getting the position for Jenny to break again and stretch over the line. 12 - 12. Scunthorpe weren't finished though and went ahead again with a try in the corner as some of the players abandoned rugby and started brawling. RI then had a rejig as Jenny went off injured, replaced by Julie Pease and Ruth moved to right wing. The extra space out wide was just what Ruth needed as she soon found the chance user her incredible pace to go around the outside of the defence and then nicely convert her own try. 17 - 19.
Scunthorpe again countered as number 10 made another strong break and used a lovely handoff to get over the line and go 24-19 up. Scunthorpe then tried to kill off the match with a tremendous amount of pressure on the RI line. Some great tackles were needed to keep the line intact and the team spirit was shown again as another brawl broke out but the usually quiet RI players were not intimidated. Eventually RI found the ball in their possession and Ruth again went around the outside to put RI two points ahead, 24-26. Julie Pease was unlucky not to extend the lead having the ball ripped out just as she made it to the line. However, Alice Cook had the final word with a lovely dart through the traffic and her weaving run finishing the game with an RI try and 24 - 33 win. Super.