Doncaster Rugby Club

Yorkshire 3

Northallerton 5 Doncaster Phoenix 6

The long trip to Northallerton saw many changes to the side but saw the visitors emerge victors in a tough old game with a fifty minute second half played with a ‘force 10’ blustering across the pitch didn’t make for champagne rugby but still keeps Phoenix in contention at the top.

The changes saw Kaihau back for Roodt at prop, Tyrer in at lock with horse switching to No.8 and Treacle maintaining a spot on the flank with the backs maintaining the status quo from the week previous.

On a heavy pitch with a significant slope and a the wind blowing a ‘hooly’ cross field the conditions did much to dictate that this was not to be an open flowing game and that it proved to be an equally matched encounter where two Millar penalty kicks against a home try was enough to win the points on the day.

With the home side starting with the slope the first forays were evenly matched with no side making ground, but it was evident that the visiting line out was far superior that stole a lot of ball to ease any impending pressure. This combined with the defensive kicks of Jazzanowski ensured that for the first fifteen the honours were equal.

It was Phoenix who were to notch first blood when advancing up field they pressured centrally for the home side to come over the top. From the ensuing penalty Millar banged a kick over in tricky conditions for a 3-0 advantage.

Not to be outdone the North responded with a strong drive in the pack to gain field position five out and batter the visiting line for tenacity to pay off with a touch down.

With Phoenix dominant in the line they again attacked up the slope for the pack to infringe in much the same place as previous to allow Millar to kick for a one point lead.

For the rest of the first period honours were more or less equal and the only glimpse off any score was when Tom Elliot received on the left wing to scamper into the home 22 only for Burton to be adjudged to impede in an advantageous position. Hence the half and the game ended on the narrowest of margins at 6-5 in the visitors favour.

If Phoenix thought that the slope would prove to be an advantage and a saving grace then they were mistaken where for the first period of the second half it was the home side that looked more menacing especially when their backs were allowed to spin the ball and on a couple of occasions had they been more spatially aware then they could have scored.

Saying that when Northallerton did venture into Phoenix territory they met the Phoenix pack who turned over the crucial ball and were dominant in the line out to relieve any threat.

It was Phoenix who had the best chance of securing the win five from the ‘fifty’ mark when No8 Longworth broke blind to be held by the defence five out and passed a ball to the support which floated above the vertically challenged Atkinson to be knocked on by Treacle when glory beckoned.

From this point Phoenix maintained field position in Northallerton territory and held on for a closely contested win which keeps them in touch with the top teams of the division.