Doncaster Rugby Club

This week Doncaster entertained Barnsley who managed to put fifty points past Phoenix earlier in the season, the Phoenix camp was certain this would not happen again and a good victory against Barnsley would help keep confidence high for our EDF Quarter Final trip to West Leeds this coming Saturday.

Changes to the side included, Tom Elliot coming in at scrum half for Greenslade, Smith returning to his natural position in the row for the injured Germain with Roodt getting a rare appearance at blind side.

After a good warm up and what seemed like a fine preparation to the game it seemed that it meant nothing as Phoenix started the game very poorly. Some missed tackles in the centres allowed the Barnsley twelve to get through one on one with Jazz who made a fantastic tackle to stop a Barnsley try. In the phases that followed the Barnsley fly half opted to attempt a drop goal which he completed easily. 0-3

Phoenix responded in good fashion by getting a drop goal of their own courtesy of the impressive Ben Miller, but Barnsley cam back again with another two converted penalties making the score 3-9. It was then after some good work from the pack that Miller got some good quick ball and was able to dance his way around the hapless Barnsley ten to get over for the first try of the game. 8-9. A fine team build up but completed by some good individual skills.

Barnsley responded again by getting another penalty extending their lead. 8-12. But Phoenix had started to play some good rugby the forwards were providing good quick ball in the loose allowing the backs more time and space to really attack the Barnsley back line. It was from the quick rucking that allowed Tom Elliot to provide the backs with some more clean ball, the backs utilised on this with a stunning move paving the way for Burton to get the score.

I must make a point that I find it very distasteful that Mr Burton does not dive for tries. Is it because he does not want to get his knees dirty? Is it because he is conserving energy? Or is it because he is just lazy?

You can vote by texting 69875 with either Dirty, Energy, or Lazy. Texts will cost a premium of £1000 + your standard rate. Results will be published next week.

With about five minutes of the half remaining Barnsley were camped in our half, we kept on blocking all Barnsley had to offer until eventually a quick penalty tap spun wide found us one man short giving Barnsley the try just before half time. 15-19.

The second half was played with the same intensity as the first but whenever we looked like getting on top we conceded penalties allowing Barnsley to clear. In the end it was a charge down by the energetic Veal that broke the deadlock, the Barnsley ten had took a little too long before Veal charged the ball down. Fortunately, the spin on the ball kept it in play allowing Veal to follow through and get the score. 20-19 Phoenix took the lead and we stayed there even getting a late penalty making the final score 23-19.

In summary, it was fantastic to be able to beat a side that put fifty past us earlier in the season but penalties conceded kept them in the game. We scored three tries to their one and then we gifted them the rest of their points. Fine performances by Miller and Elliot (Jnr) getting a rare start at scrum half, but we must keep the penalty count down on Saturday and do the simple things right if we are to progress to the semi-finals of the EDF Cup