Revenge gained in strong display from Rifles

REVENGE was on the menu for Scunthorpe RUFC's fifth XV when they hosted Selby 4ths, a team they had already lost twice to this season.

The Rifles opened with a strong side, with Salmon returning to the front row, alongside Drewry and Page, while Barker moved into the second row.

Scunthorpe made a confident start, with the front five proving too strong for their opposite numbers, dominating the scrummage and out-mauling them in the loose.

Although Selby defended well, the Rifles were, at times, guilty of squandering decent chances as they failed to turn their advantage into points.

But they were having few problems from their visitors, who struggled with their running game, as strong tackling from Tait and Bayley in the Rifles centre kept any threat to a minimum.

So it was no surprise when the Heslam Park team took the lead.

Starting with the forwards, the pack drove a maul 15-yards into the corner before Drewry (senior) touched down for a try.

The Greens held the 5-0 score-line until the break, with the visiting Selby side changing a number of players which resulted in their three-quarter line taking on a much younger look.

With the need for a big defensive effort, it was perhaps no surprise that Barker, having jumped well at two in the line-out while spoiling a lot of possession as well, took the man of the match honours.

It was on that solid foundation that the Rifles secured their second score of the day, virtually a repeat of the first.

This time Drewry (junior) made the touch down to put his side in a comfortable position.

Carter added an excellent kick from the touch-line, taking the score to 12-0.

There was still time for the Rifles to be tested defensively when a yellow card took them down to 14 men as the game went into the last quarter.

But they weathered the storm, using solid ball retention to deny Selby an opportunity to get back into the game.