Doncaster Rugby Club

On a day when only one other game in the division was played due to the conditions in Yorkshire, Phoenix compounded their second position in the league with a comprehensive win over local rivals Hemsworth.

Changes from the previous week’s friendly saw Longworth back at lock, Taylor at blindside flank, Tim Elliot in at fly half and Mark Jasnokowski’s home debut after signing from Ionians.

The playing conditions were perfect and Phoenix started with the advantage of the slope, wind and sun. From the kick off the ball was regained by Phoenix and shipped right and with Greenslade providing the dummy run allowed the ball to slip to Burton who went over on the one minute mark and an immediate five point advantage.

However, the visitors responded with a penalty two minutes later courtesy of a Kidd penalty after the visiting pack had gained suitable field advantage.

For the next ten minutes exchanges were even but it on the form the backs were showing they were making in roads when the gap was exploited. Hence, on 18 minutes after one such foray they were held short for the home pack to support and trundle over with a smiling Oliver emerging as the scorer and an easy conversion opportunity for Ellis – 12 –3.

The Ellis boot provided a further three points on 20 minutes after the visitors were caught offside in front of the posts.

With the home side now in the ascendancy the backs again made good ground and the ball was received by Ellis ten out and opted for route 1 with his large frame battering through two defenders to barge over for a further try and conversion.

The final two tries of the half were again fluid backs manoeuvres the first courtesy of Fly half Elliot and the second and my vote for try of the day was the interlinking backs on the hoof with Jasnokowski receiving left and scissoring with Conway to go over unopposed with both tries converted by Ellis. 36-3 on the half time whistle.

The second half started exactly the same as the first with Phoenix extending their lead in the first minute through Germaine at 8 receiving the ball left after good interplay between forwards and backs.

Phoenix completed their scoring tally on 48 minutes again with a similar move from the previous try this time with the beavering Morris adding the points.

For the final twenty minutes of the game Phoenix were guilty of taking their foot of the gas but it also credit to Hemsworth that they never gave and were justly rewarded on 65 through a Hemstock try and the conversion by Kidd their impressive full back.

With the seconds completing a 12-3 win at Hemsworth it was another double on the day and hopefully another step into Yorkshire 3 rugby.