Doncaster Rugby Club

Yorkshire 3

Doncaster Phoenix 19 Skipton 21

In a closely contested game it was the visitors that came away with a hard fought victory in a game that saw Phoenix beaten at home for the first time since February 2005 in a league fixture.

The side remained much the same as the previous week with the only change seeing Tim Elliot return to reclaim the fly half spot with Ellis moving into full back.

With skipper Longworth losing a toss Phoenix kicked off with the slope and a strong wind behind them. Indeed it was the ‘horse’ whom drew first blood for the home side when using his guile turned up on the shoulder of Elliot who broke centrally to be hauled down 5 yards out with the grateful skipper happy to receive the pop to go over for his annual try, Millar adding the conversion.

However, the visitors were not to be overawed by the home side’s home form and responded when their number 8 collected a ball being put clear by his back line to charge in twenty metres on the right flank to reduce the deficit to two points.

With Phoenix opting to run the ball as opposed to kicking with the wind they banged the ball down field for the defence to hold strong and clear the ball to home forwards twenty five yards out on the right. It was veteran and lotahrio Atkinson who came in at pace to break blind and evade the three defenders on the wing to pop to Elliot in support who scampered over for a try and another Millar conversion.   

As previously stated Phoenix opted to carry rather than kick and whilst looking comfortable with the conditions they opted to run from their half mid way, only for the alert Skipton centre to anticipate the lengthy midfield pass and intercept to go under the posts for a 14-12 half time score, knowing they had the elemental advantage in the second period.

Indeed using the slope the visitors gained field position and with a deft quick switch from right to left the grateful centre bagged a brace with a converted score.

Not to be outdone Phoenix responded with winger Foster proving his worth down the wing to go over on the left – 19-19.

It was from this point that Skipton capitalised by using the elements and pin Phoenix in their own half and took the lead through a penalty and squandered two further kickable penalties to make their lot a bit easier.

It wasn’t until two minutes from time that the home side managed to get up field and win a line out five metres out for the referee to adjudge the resulting throw not straight, allow the visitors to clear and run the clock down to claim the points.

This was a tight match as the league positions suggest and puts a dent in Phoenix’s promotion ambition but promises a another tough encounter when Phoenix travel to Skipton in a must win game!