AN OFTEN sluggish and painfully pedestrian performance was still enough to earn Tynedale maximum points against relegation threatened Scunthorpe.

The hosts fielded an unfamiliar line up, with first team regulars Jack Harrison, Henry Hadfield and Joe Mills all playing for the second team to give the likes of Jonny Mock, Jack Outson and Archie Erskine first team experience.

After a bright enough opening, there seemed a real lack of urgency in the first half and a better team than Scunthorpe could have put Tynedale under real pressure.

They did improve after the break, putting together some lovely handling moves, but it was all pretty staccato in a game which which will not live long in the memory.

There were some cameo moments, with Jonny Cousin putting in some great tackles in the first half and Graeme Dunn also putting himself about.

Matty Outson was his usual lively self at scrum half, and there was the usual polished display from Scott Powell at the back of the scrum.

Tynedale began well, with a long kick by Oli Walker looking promising until the ball stuck in the mud, and the chance was lost.

They did go ahead on seven minutes with an Ash Smith penalty, and looked sure to score again straight from the restart when Dan Taylor was clean through, but he lost his footing on the edge of the 22.

But they then went off the boil, and it took the bravery of Mock to save the day when a hack through from 50 metres by Scunthorpe could have led to a try, until the full back gathered the ball well under extreme pressure on his own five metre line.

There was no let off on 25 minutes though, when a sloppy pass was intercepted on halfway, and Scunthorpe flanker James Dyson went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The half time whistle brought a welcome end to a turgid first half, with Scunthorpe leading 5-3.

Scunthorpe remained on the pitch rather than repairing to the dressing room at half time, and their tails were up seven minutes into the second half when Tynedale replacement Ben Bell was yellow carded seven minutes into the second period.

However, being a man down seemed to galvanise Tynedale and a good break by skipper Outson created the opportunity for centre Will Miller to force his way over for an unconverted try three minutes later, settling the home side's nerves.

Five minutes later, and still with 14 men, Tynedale scored again, with forward pressure on the Scunthorpe line eventually bringing a try for Powell close to the posts, with Smith adding the extras to make it 15-5 to Tynedale with 55 minutes gone.

Scunthorpe were unable to string more than a couple of passes together, and on 32 minutes, a good break by Taylor, and excellent support work from replacement hooker Tom King, saw the effervescent Rob Parker skin his man on the outside, and touch down in the corner,

Smith’s conversion attempt hit the post, but Tynedale were well in command at 20-5.

However, with four minutes left, they failed to clear their lines, losing possession in their own 22, to allow Scunthorpe winger Sam Morgan to score an unconverted try.

Tynedale were not finished though, and with two minutes left, secured the bonus point try when after more good handling, Dunn grabbed the fourth try.

Tynedale have no game this weekend, but return to Corbridge on March 25 seeking to do the double over South Leicester.