Yorkshire 3 and 2nd Xv League
Doncaster Phoenix 1st 14 Wath 1st XV 14
Wath 2nd XV 5 Doncaster Phoenix 2nd XV 18
Phoenix were looking for confidence building victory against Wath who before this game were propping up the bottom of the table. The backs were much changed from the previous week due to injuries (Burton-in growing hair and Brookfield-twisted toe nail), holidays (Jazz) and tactical switches with the T Elliots back in action and Carey Thomas making his league debut.
The forwards also felt the axe of coach Senior with Smith and Roodt preferred to Liddle and Taylor.
Unfortunately for the Phoenix massive, the Wath warriors had the better of the early exchanges and had soon built up an impressive 6-0 lead with the phoenix struggling to get out of the blocks - except for the big hit by crusher Morris!
Despite the early setback, Phoenix started to get back into the game with some sharp play from 5 man line outs, Nick Germaine was to the fore with some excellent breaks. The pressure told and Miller got the home side back into the game with two penalties of his own-good arrows Ben!
At 6-6 at half time the game was for the taking for either side. In the first 30 minutes of the half it looked like that would be the Phoenix. Another penalty by Miller was then followed up by the first try of the match. More pressure from the forwards on the left hand side, the ball swung back right and quick thinking from young Roodty put Miller in for his first try of the campaign.
Then in the last ten minutes of the game Wath started to get back into the game with some strong running by the back row with Mickey Mouse to the fore (he did look uncannily like Ricky May but the match card never lies!). The pressure told and in the last 5 minutes of the game Wath score in the corner when the Phoenix defence rushed up too quickly.
The game finished 14-14, which was disappointing but much better than last week. Phoenix need to build on this during the week if they are to challenge the mighty Barnsley next week. (Get ready Stanley!).
The clubs 2nd XV maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a win where they had previously failed for the last two years.
Starting to play up the slope Phoenix played a structured game that showed early signs of encouragement when receiving the ball deep Parnell whizzed up the right wing to gain the early yards and set up the intent for the visitors. From gaining field position the home side infringed in front of the post and up stepped Crowe to slot the ball over courtesy of the left upright.
Phoenix maintained their shape and a scrum was awarded on the twenty two to the home side, from the scrum man of the match Atkinson sniped his opponents ball to dart under to dart under the posts for a 10-0 score line on the break.
Now having the advantage of the significant slope (there definitely is one at Wath, Burton!) Phoenix sealed the game five minutes in where they won a line five out with skipper Skidmore’s salmon like take to allow the nudge on and hooker Nithsdale to emerge triumphant from the melee after touching down.
Wath did respond with some possession and came away with a forwards try after sustained possession, but team manager Crowe finished the game off after slotting home another three points as casual as you like.
Again, another encouraging display with good shows from Sheehan, Atkinson, Parnell and Horrocks. Capped with the youngsters of Lee and Ramsay contributing to another two points in the 2nd XV league. |
_off.png)
