Doncaster Rugby Club

Castleford VS Doncaster Phoenix

20^TH October 2007

This weekend Doncaster Phoenix played at top of the table Castleford, who have won every game so far this season. It was clear on arrival that the Cass boys were in a very confident mood and that mid table Phoenix would not bother them. But Phoenix are confident as well after two good victories against Thorne and Bury. Another boost to Phoenix is the almost full roster of players available for selection for the first time this season that I am sure has given Coach Senior a headache all week. The main changes to the side this week was the return of Taylor to the back row and Carey in at centre. This left no place in the starting XV for Burton who had to cosy up to Kev on the sidelines.

Phoenix started the game strongest and really went out all guns blazing, the phases were flowing and things were going well for an early score if not for a dubious crossing decision by the ref, (who is an ‘old friend’ of Cass according to the match program) but credit must go to the Cass defence who tackled very hard and made it very difficult to make yards.

But then an old habit of Phoenix appeared again, let them get out in front before we start playing rugby. A delicate chip over Brookfields head on the right collected by the winger and scored in the corner. A very nicely worked try and finished well. But throughout all this Phoenix were still feeling we could get something out of the game. A good chip through by Romanian international Watts and a quick turnover caused Cass to give away a penalty, which Jazz slotted over. But poor handling off the kick off and another silly penalty and we had returned the favour.

Cass then scored two quick tries either side of a Jazz penalty. The first try was a nice back move with good running lines which split the Phoenix defence allowing the outside centre to get to our try line unopposed. At this point in the game Phoenix were being out muscled in tackle area. Cass had good strong runners making some good yards. Their second try came from another Phoenix crossing offence allowing Cass to clear their lines and from the resulting lineout a strong rolling maul gave Cass another five points courtesy of their blindside. The score being 24-6 at this point and to be fair Phoenix were a little hard done by. Phoenix had had some good possession and a few bad calls helped the opposition.

In the last ten minutes of the first half, Phoenix suddenly started to penetrate the Cass defence. A big hit by Oakley gave Phoenix the ball in the opposition half and we did not look back. Tom Elliot started to make good yards on the wing and some strong forward carrying by Oakley, Taylor and Kaihau started to give some good quick ball to the back line. Unfortunately we could not get a score before the end of the half, but a good positive half time talk made sure Phoenix carried some momentum in the second half.

Castleford did not even get a chance to attack in the second half. Phoenix attacked and defended stronger than they had all season and Castleford struggled to keep up with the pace Phoenix was setting. Eventually a score did come, after Phoenix were held up over the line, Oakley picked from the resulting scrum to be stopped just short but Morris was on hand to scoop the ball up and flop over from a yard.

The rest of the half carried on the same with Phoenix attacking very strongly in all areas of the pitch even after Greenslade had been binned for back chatting to the ref, but another try would not come. Phoenix then knocked over a couple of penalties and continued to hammer the Cass defence, to their credit they defended well even when the had fourteen men.

Overall, Phoenix seemed to struggle with the initial physicality of the Castleford side but it eventually shook the team into showing some real grit, determination and spirit which has been lacking in other weeks. Two things are for certain, Castleford will certainly not be looking forward to the return fixture and if Phoenix play like this from now on we should give ourselves every chance to be up at the top by the season end.

Phoenix seconds entertained their respective counterparts in a hard fought game at Castle Park which saw the home side emerge victors 8-5.

All but 3 of the points came in the first half where the visitors took an early 6 point lead courtesy of two penalties but scrum half Farley reduced the half way defict to one from a quickly taken penalty.

With the advantage of the now legendary slope Phoenix sealed the win after sustained pressure orchestrated by the biggest fly half ever in the guise of Noble saw place for Dave Millar to win the game.

Man of the match – Veal Horrocks (AGAIN!)