Doncaster Rugby Club

Yorkshire 3 and Yorkshire 3 2^nd XV Leagues

Baildon 1^st XV 17 Doncaster Phoenix 1^st XV 0

Baildon 2^nd XV 12 Doncaster Phoenix 2^nd XV 31

Last Saturday saw the Phoenix bandwagon saddle up and head off to Baildon and beyond! where there was a bitter sweet experience encountered on the day with the 1^st XV failing to function whilst the second string secured their 2nd League win to maintain the early initial impetus!

Having set off early able organised through Curzon Excursions enterprises the bus had to endure road closures at Shipley for ¾ hour to arrive a the Bradford ground. However saying that both sides were there in enough time and embarked on the joint warm up.

The first team remained much the same as the week previous with Matt Smith and the younger Atkinson making the bench after previous good showings in the pre season games. The 2^nd XV saw the return of pensioner Curzon, new boy Sheehan and the inclusion of academy players: lock Nithsdale, and wingers Lee and Mooney.

The first team game was a frustrating game to observe and playing with the slope first the teams were evenly matched and there were early encouraging signs with Brookfield receiving the ball on the blind side and being held up short.

The home side defended tenaciously and kept the visitors at bay and incurred first blood when Morris was deemed to infringe in kicking range of flanker to pop over three points.

Halfway through the first period Burton twanged his hamstring to be replaced by Atkinson who on one of his first touches broke down the right , evaded two tackles only again to be hauled down five yards out – it could have been here that the referee adjudged a potential high tackle as young Atkinson’s fault due to him being vertically challenged.

It was then in mid-field that Phoenix had the ball which was stolen by the fly half who charged down the left and popped to his supporting winger for him to go under the posts for a 10-0 lead at half time.

The visitors on the turn round again had their share of possession but the Baildon defence was up to the task and kept them at bay. The game was sealed with the clock counting down Baildon kicked deep where Jazz collected and opted to take the ball on, however, he was caught in possession and the resultant pop ball landed into Baildon hands for the attacker to stroll over un-opposed.

On the day the visitors had opportunities but failed at the last hurdle combined with sold home defence meant the home side secured the Yorkshire 3 points.

Fortunately, the second team fared better running out victors and courtesy of a Baildon member who came to the fore to ref the game after the West Yorkshire Society cried off the night before.

It was the home side whom started off strongly and had the territory in the first ten minutes. The defence however was up to the task and held out and then through some barnstorming runs from the likes of Wood, Sheehan and Kaihau they gained the upper hand to allow Atkinson to score the first points.

Maintaining this impetus the visitors kept attacking and it wasn’t long before Parnell went over for a 12-0 lead.

The home side then hit back before half time to make the half time score 12-5 with both sides having plenty to play for in the second half.

It was Phoenix who then found their footing first and pressured the Baildon line and scores resulted from team manager Crowe bagging a brace and debutant Sheehan barging over from close range with Curzon adding a touch line conversion to finish off the game. In return Baildon could only respond with one try and the Phoenix 2^nd ‘s bagged their respective league points.