First Half
Playing downhill, Rossendale made the perfect start. From an early scrum platform the backs worked the ball wide for Dan Holland to finish in the corner, adding the conversion himself for a 7–0 lead.

Scunthorpe responded strongly while Rossendale were temporarily down to 14 after an injury to Terrence Babarinsa, levelling the scores at 7–7 with a well-worked converted try.

Babarinsa soon made amends. A chargedown by Callum Whelan and slick support from Jake Foster set the powerful centre free to wriggle through several tackles and score beneath the posts. Holland added the extras for 14–7.

The hosts were rampant. A deep defensive kick sat up perfectly for Seb Krippner, who carved through midfield from inside his own 22 before linking with Nick Fontaine and finally Whelan, who crossed under the sticks. Holland converted for 21–7.

The bonus-point try arrived when a scrum penalty was kicked to the 22. A clean line-out and driving maul allowed Johnny Leota to touch down near the posts; Holland converted for 28–7.

Scunthorpe narrowed the gap with an unconverted try out wide (28–12), but Rossendale replied immediately. Fontaine stole ball in midfield and, after quick recycling, Matt Probert powered over to the left of the sticks (35–12).
The first-half fireworks continued as Israr Asif sparked a length-of-the-field counter from inside the Rossendale 22, releasing Holland to show his pace and finish brilliantly for 40–12 at the interval.

Second Half

Scunthorpe struck first after the restart with a converted try (40–19) and were handed further momentum when Babarinsa was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. The visitors capitalised with another corner score (40–24).

A second yellow, this time for Seb Pemberton for offside in the red zone, left Rossendale short again and Scunthorpe crossed once more, closing to 40–29.

Rossendale regrouped to finish in style. Saba Asatiani burst through tackles from the 10-metre line to score under the posts, Holland converting for 47–29. The final word came after a sweeping move from halfway as Byron McGuigan kicked ahead for Leota, who offloaded for Krippner to dive in at the corner. Holland’s touchline conversion sealed a 54–29 victory.

Summary
Rossendale’s attacking ambition and clinical finishing proved decisive despite periods of indiscipline that twice left them a man short. Holland’s kicking, Fontaine’s midfield steals and Krippner’s counter-attacking threat lit up a thrilling encounter, while Scunthorpe’s spirited second-half comeback ensured an entertaining spectacle for the crowd.

Melissa Colman