05.02.2008
STRONG PHOENIX PERFORMANCE SECURES PLACE IN QUARTER FINALS OF EDF JUNIOR VASE.
Phoenix ensured that the Castle Park spectators still had EDF cup rugby to look forward to courtesy of a fine 22-0, 7th round victory over Nottingham Casuals. When the draw was made in January Nottingham represented somewhat of an unknown quantity, however with them sitting 2nd in their equivalent league a tough encounter was envisaged. Phoenix since then had done their homework and reports had been relayed to the coaching team that the Casuals were an organised outfit who defended well, possessed a large strong pack, who were efficient in their set piece work.
The team saw two changes to that which had competed well with Castleford the week before. Carey Thomas and Adam Burton returned to the backline in place of Martin Lowcock and Dan Brookfield.
The match began with Phoenix playing with the advantage of the strong wind (and of course the infamous ‘phantom’ slope) the early exchanges were evenly matched as both teams went about trying to stamp there authority on the game. Phoenix looked to keep the game fast, to suit their more mobile pack whilst Nottingham favoured a tighter game plan, looking to utilise the rolling maul whenever possible.
As the first half progressed Phoenix were able to take hold of the game and with the pack providing a good stream off quick ruck ball they were able to launch a number of dangerous moves out in the backs. Inside centre Ben Millar made the first meaningful line break of the day as he stepped his way 30 yards down field from broken play. A Doncaster line out was awarded just outside the Casuals 22 and from there a well rehearsed move saw Millar send Jasnikowski through centre field, breaking the tackle he offloaded to the supporting Burton who beat the full back to score to the right of the posts. The try went unconverted.
Nottingham responded well, with a period of lengthy pressure spent within the home sides 22. Numerous ‘catch and drives’ were repelled by the well drilled Phoenix defence, until the ball was turned over and cleared down field. This set the tone for the remainder of the tie as Phoenix continually prevented Casuals turning any possession and territory they had into points.
With half time approaching Phoenix were awarded a penalty, which was kicked deep into the Nottingham half. From 10 metres out hooker Morris found his line out target, the point of contact was smartly disguised and from the resulting maul Morris found his way to the line. The conversion was successfully kicked and Doncaster led 12-0 as the half time whistle sounded shortly afterwards.
With the team performing well coach Senior, during the half time break, only had to reinforce that the effort and concentration must be kept up. The point was also made that with a strong bench nobody should be holding anything back.
Nottingham started the second half strongly, using the wind they pinned Phoenix back in their own 22 with a succession of penalties. From there, as in the first half, the away side went close on a number of occasions however the Phoenix defence was up to the task and kept the score at nil. They did however lose prop Fielding to the sin bin for ten minutes, he bore the brunt for the repeated team infringements at the breakdown.
A penalty was awarded 20 minutes into the second half which Ben Millar easily kicked to take the score onto 15-0, Phoenix were now well in control and did not look in danger of losing the game from here.
The remainder of the second half saw the Phoenix team dictate play and enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Phoenix now looked the more dangerous with ball in hand, line breaks were becoming more of a regularity and the back line was showing what could be done with good clean ball. The Phoenix pack that had held it’s own against their bigger opponents in the first half now started to assert themselves, turning over and disrupting much of the Casuals scrum and line out ball.
As promised the bench was utilised, Liddle, Smith and Thomas made way for Roodt, Taylor and Lowcock allowing the pace of the game to be maintained.
As the match drew to a close Elliot was able to exploit a midfield gap, creating a two on one with only the Casuals full back to beat he dummied once before putting in Millar for the final try of the afternoon. Millar converted his own try to take his points tally to 12 for the day.
The match was, as a whole played in excellent spirit between two committed teams. The difference on the day being the exploits of Phoenix in the loose and a superb defensive display. Phoenix putt together a full 80 minutes for probably the first
<< Back To News
Other News Articles
ESHER V KNIGHTS REPORT
4TH OFFICIAL VACANCY
AXV FOR MONDAY
DVD GAME APOLOGY
News
