Match Report taken from "The Rugby Paper":-

FOUR tries from right wing Will Roberts helped keep Tynedale on course for a promotion play off spot.
However, they had to work hard for their victory against a Scunthorpe side fighting to avoid relegation.

Tynedale’s director of rugby Peter Southern was pleased with the Tynedale performance, but added: “ We have a couple of tough away games still to play before we can start thinking about plays offs and possible promotion, so we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground.

“Our play off rivals Macclesfield losing at Darlington Mowden Park today gives us a bit of an edge, but we still have to aim for maximum points in our remaining games.
“Scunthorpe gave us a good game but we took our chances well, and the tackling when we were under pressure was phenomenal.”

Tynedale went ahead in the first minute when Roberts grabbed the ball in his own half, and blasted down the wing, brushing off two tackles before crashing over for an unconverted try.
Four minutes later, good work at a line out by Will Nankivell saw Chris Wearmouth crash over for the second try.

But Scunthorpe refused to lie down, and on 13 minutes they outwitted Tynedale at a line out for Oliver Arnold to touch down.
Tynedale were soon back on the attack with Charlie Turnbull and Will Miller prominent, but good Scunthorpe defence kept them at bay until the 18th minute, when Roberts found a gap for his second try.
The winger completed his hat-trick on 21 minutes, plucking a Scunthorpe pass out of the air on his own 22, and then sprinting the length of the field to touch down under the sticks for the bonus point try, Cam Grant converting for a 22-5 lead.

Scunthorpe responded well, piling on the pressure, and with Nankivell in the sin bin, they grabbed their second try through Jordan Beresford on 27 minutes, Ethan Taylor converting.

A Grant penalty gave Tynedale a 25-12 interval lead, and they eased further ahead on 53 minutes when Roberts powered in again, after good work by Dan Baines.
Slock passing and good movement from Scunthorpe kept Tynedale on their toes, but they were unable to stop Joey Mowbray touching down on 71 minutes, Taylor converting.
Dreams of an upset were dashed in the closing stages when Tynedale wrapped things up with well taken tries by Archie Rattray and Joe Beaty.

https://www.scunthorperugby.com/matchreports11th-12thapr2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRNbJ5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwVFo1OUVwZGdhN0g1SVc1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlW_E2RWmCwUvRyp8ajcL9Y2yuTqdj60twApkgGxMG8pOqLe7qYxDASTWn0y_aem_tweP63UklD3RdLUkdmjwuw

Chris Leslie's view of match:-

TYNE EASE TO 5-POINTER
A dominant performance from Tynedale, with a standout display from Will Roberts, who crossed for four tries, and very nearly added a moment of acrobatic brilliance while completing his hat-trick!
Scunthorpe brought plenty of attacking intent and scored some excellent tries of their own, but ultimately left points out there, dropping several clear try-scoring opportunities. The gusty wind opposite the stand certainly didn’t help matters and played its part throughout.

Match Timeline, in particular:
• 1 min, backs move it wide, Grant drew in two defenders and then a super offload to Roberts who finished superbly from a long way out, Tynedale 5–0.
• 5 mins: 10–0 (try from Chris Wearmouth, who else)
• 12 mins: 10–5 Scunthorpe post a warning.
• 16 mins: 15–5 (Try Roberts)
• 21 mins: 22–5 (Try Roberts, acrobatics, nearly, Donkey’s ears, ee-aw)
• 27 mins: 22–12 Scunthorpe not giving up, again.
• 40 mins: 25–12 (Pen: Grant, great decision)
Half-Time: 25–12
• 53 mins: 32–12 (Try for Roberts, this is becoming brilliant after a year of injury, converted by Grant)
• 71 mins: 32–19 Scunthorpe clearly went full Rick Astley mode… “Never gonna give up…”
• 73 mins: 39–19 (Try: Archie Rattray, Conv: Grant)
• 80 mins: 44–19 (Try: Joe Beattie).

Special mentions: Charlie Turnbull who was a menace throughout and welcome back Mr Keller, came off the bench and influenced the match.

And, “here we go again… Chris Dixon wins the 50/50 Half-Time Draw — starting to look like a farming subsidy scheme!”
Elsewhere, just down the road at Teesside, DMP edged Macclesfield 42–41 in a thriller, this time denying the Cheshire side their usual late winner. Ben Douglass scored crucial tries, thank you.
League Impact: Tynedale now open up a 3-point "cushion" in 2nd place in what remains a fiercely competitive league.
Next up, a tougher test away at Billingham, who'll have a bit of revenge on their mind. Always a ‘friendly’ welcome doon there…

NB: Any references to Rick Astley are deliberate - 1987, Tynedale.
Also, it’s my birthday, so I’ll allow myself a brief moment of reflection because it's my party and I'll cry if I want to, you would cry too if it (64) happened to you.
Best regards,
Chris