OLD Halesonians’ play-off push suffered a major setback with defeat against fellow challengers Scunthorpe.

Hales lost the vital clash 28-10 at Wassell Grove last Saturday when the league’s second and third-placed sides did battle.

Traditionally, Hales start strong and tend to dominate early but the visitors attacked from the off. Their forward power was evident, and pressure on a Hales clearance kick forced a charge-down and early try.

Hales came back but couldn’t stem the forward power of the visitors, who again scored from a loose maul to lead 10-0.

The shocked home side needed to rally and gained a penalty, which Dave Hadkiss kicked to narrow the deficit slightly.

Hales put some passages together but failed to break the defence and could not produce enough phases. Replacements were used, Steve Leach for Guy Field and Owen Jones for Jay Martin.

More pressure by Scunthorpe resulted in a converted penalty to maintain the 10-point lead at the break.

At half time, the disappointed home crowd hoped for more effort and the second half started more positively with aggressive tackling and running by back row Tom Jordan, Max Macfarlane and Loz Breese.

But the visitors continued to use their simple tactical play to make ground down the field.

They won a line out in the home 22, catching and driving for an easy converted try to lead 20-3.

From the kick off, another attack by Scunthorpe resulted in a Hales infringement and another penalty as the game went away from the hosts.

Hales were forced to make changes to try and stem the flow. They worked hard to make ground and started to put some plays together with Macfarlane, Breese, Jordan and Ben Barkley doing their best to make ground. On 65 minutes, constant pressure by Hales saw hooker Pete Fitzgerald collect the ball 10 metres out and drive for a score, converted by Hadkiss, 10-23.

This gave the home side and support some encouragement and continued to pressure the visitors' defence. Scunthorpe's defence stood strong and they returned the pressure to the home 22. Another infringement by Hales led to another line out, catch, drive and a final score in the corner.

Hales need to regroup if they are to stay in contention with a home game against Peterborough Lions this Saturday (2.15pm).

Meanwhile, Old Hales Seconds lost 32-17 at Derby.

The fourths lost away at Bromsgrove Vets.