Scunthorpe RUFC’s firsts suffered a narrow defeat as Ilkeston lifted the NLD trophy following a 10-8 victory, writes Louie Clayton.
The Greens travelled to Matlock for the cup final encounter with Will Harrison starting in the centre alongside Ash Dibden. James Drury moved to the right wing.
And they started well, shoving the bigger Elks pack off the ball in a bid to gain the early momentum.
The Greens were then awarded a penalty after nine minutes and Steve Johnson slotted over.
However, Scunthorpe did not use their possession to their advantage as Ilkeston got on the scoreboard with a penalty of their own.
Ilkeston were finding some rhythm with their big experienced pack gaining ground with their driving mauls. It was from one such maul that the referee judged they were illegally stopped and Gareth Mist was yellow carded.
From a subsequent scrummage, the Elks made the extra numbers tell and drove over for a try. The conversion put them ahead 10 -3.
Scunthorpe’s attack was still mis-firing with only intermittent individual runs by Rewiti Viamoso breaching the gain-line.
It was from one such powerful burst that the supporting Tom Foster got away down the left flank only to be hauled down inches from the line.
Jake Barron took the inside pass and touched down but the referee ruled the pass forward.
Ilkeston were then penalised at the scrum that followed and Scunthorpe worked their penalty drive through their forwards for Barron to get the touch down. Johnson was unable to get the all-important conversion as the Elks finished 10-8 victors.
Scunthorpe will be looking to bounce back in their second cup final coming next against newly promoted Spalding.