Yorkshire 3
Doncaster Phoenix 10 Moortown 15
This week it was the turn of Moortown, who are currently second in the league, to be hosted by Phoenix. It was also the first Supporters Dinner of the year, so I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the side and thank you to Dave Townend and others who organised the dinner. I believe a good time was had by all.
Two changes were made to the Phoenix side this week, Taylor came into the back row and carpet carrying Carey came into the backline. It is not his fault that he is big! There was also a return to the bench for Phoenix stalwart Liddle after a few weeks out of the side.
The game started with immense pressure on the Phoenix line, for a good twenty minutes Moortown strung together some good phases and had an effective rolling maul, but the Phoenix defence stood firm. Moortown continually chose to kick to the corner, when penalties were conceded, and tried to drive their way over our line. Eventually after a long period of sustained pressure, around the twenty minute mark, the Phoenix defence was breached, a rolling maul from five yards out and a try was conceded. The conversion was missed. At this point in the game I think it would be fair to say that Phoenix was defending well, but they just could not get the ball to attack.
From the kick off Moortown carried on where they had left off, kicking to the corners and keeping it simple. A missed tackle on the side of a ruck gifted Moortown with a second try, as their prop went over in between the sticks. The conversion was kicked.
A single penalty for both sides finished the half with Phoenix losing 15-3.
The general feeling at half time was that we were a better side, we had just been starved of the ball. This was due to some unfortunate decisions and Moortown controlling their attack very well. Moortown just kept coming at us and grinding the Phoenix defence down and eventually we were going to concede. But the spirit was good and in the second half Phoenix pulled it together and gave it a real go, but it was just a little late, which seems to be a bit of a common occurrence this season.
Phoenix attacked very well in the second half, some good back row carries (Germain included) and some little darts by Greenslade, Elliot and Foster, on for Watts, put Moortown on the back foot.Unfortunately, after twenty minutes of the second half Phoenix had still not scored and the players and the crowd were getting impatient.
Eventually a try came for Phoenix. After two good breaks by baby face Burton, Phoenix found themselves ten yards from the Moortown line. A cheeky pop off the side of a ruck to Morris at top speed got Phoenix to within a yard and up popped Prince Alani Kaihau of Tonga to go over from a yard if that. Jazz converted.
Phoenix desperately tried to keep the pressure on but Moortown got hold of the ball and like all good sides they controlled possession to the end of the game to get their victory.
The story of our season keeps going on, if Phoenix could start a bit quicker instead of giving sides a head start then we would be up there with the rest. We are all confident that we will get a victory and go on from there. Next week we are away at top of the league Hullensians and there is no reason why we can not go there and rumble them.
The season is far from over. |
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