Doncaster Rugby Club

This Saturday saw a comprehensive victory over Hessle for the Phoenix to reclaim second spot courtesy of Aireborough beating Otliensians.

After last weeks defeat at Otley, Phoenix picked from strength with the Taylor back on blindside in for coach Senior, Gray back at fullback after a fortnight off and Poskitt on the wing in his last game for Phoenix before moving on to Donny two’s with the good news that Neil ‘guns’ Douglas was now at full strength after an initial weight lifting scare from coach Senior’s extreme workout. Even better news was that El Matador Burton Burtos Butros promised a performance after previous night Xmas festivities!

Phoenix started the game with intent and took the game to the visitors on a bitterly cold day against all the opposing elements with Skipper Longworth to the fore ably supported by the ever-impressive Oliver. However, it was the visitors who hit their only points of the day after the home side impeded thirty out allowing an easy penalty attempt to take an early three point advantage.

For the next ten minutes the exchanges were even but the home side finished the stronger camping in /Hessle territory with only resilient visiting defence stopping the home side from taking the initiative. Despite visiting heroics Phoenix gained the lead courtesy of the pack battering Hessle territory to the right and the resulting ball spun left to Elliot on the left who scampered in the corner after the home side consumed all available visiting defences!

Despite intensive home pressure the half time score was to remain 5-3 but Phoenix were to turn round with all advantages of the elements on offer to pursue their final outcome.

Phoenix used the slope and strong bitter wind to their advantage to gain field position which resulted in them extending their lead by a further three points after the visitors infringed in the ruck twenty out in front of the posts courtesy of John Longworth - Ellis.

Phoenix kept the impetus and five minutes later came their try of the game after the forwards banged left, recycled the ball with an ensuing miss-move allowing Lowcock to gracefully receive the ball in the centre and dance over unopposed under the sticks with Longworth-Ellis bagging the conversion.

Hessle did respond and applied pressure with the centre capitalising on sloppy home defence to gain yardage, Phoenix held out though and the threat was averted.

Regaining the upper hand with pack pushing on using the slope they gained a line out five out and the ensuing catch and drive saw Oliver touch down, Longworth-Ellis failing to add the points.

With Phoenix now fully in control Shandy Lowcock duplicated his try and claimed a brace and Poskitt sealed the win with a try on the left hand corner with Longworth- Ellis adding a further conversion.

Dan Morris can’t go without a mention when in the dying minutes received the ball on the right hand wing deep in home territory breaking blind and charging down the right flank on a storming seventy yard run only to be hauled down when glory beckoned.

With the points and second spot re-claimed this was a morale-boosting win after the disappointing defeat at Otley last week. The win was further heightened on the new that Phoenix 2nds also claimed a further win in their merit program and both sides doubling their respective Hessle opposition.