Doncaster Rugby Club

Yorkshire 3

With the euphoria of ascending to the EDF semi-final, Phoenix returned to earth with a bump in league rugby where they fell to hosts Wath in the South Yorkshire derby – a team over the last couple of seasons they just can’t seem to unlock the key to beating.

The day was such that the team was minus a couple of players from the week previous including influential nag and skipper Longworth and the conditions were such that there was a strong wind blowing cross field which made running rugby difficult for both sides.

Phoenix had the advantage of the slope in the first half and went three nil up courtesy of the boot of Millar.

Phoenix did have the better of the exchanges and looked to dominate the half without actually breaking the Wath defensive line. Eventually on the twenty minute mark after sustained pressure a penalty was conceded by the home side which was taken quickly and popped to Phoenix stalwart – and bloody nice bloke!- Taylor to barge his way over the smaller fly half which Millar duly converted 10-0.

Wath in turn did respond with a penalty after Phoenix failed to use the slope and a catalogue of errors in front of their posts allowed a simple penalty opportunity which reduced the deficit by 3.

That is how it remained until half time and with the amount of Phoenix possession the scorel would prove not to be enough!

Wath started the second half with intention with Oakley spooling the ball coming out of a strong sun the home second row picked up and charged through some weak away defence to batter the Phoenix line. From here Wath were like a dog with a bone and camped on the try line with the score coming from a scurm on far left corner. 10-8.

The score was relief enough and Phoienix then did have opportunities to attack the Wath half but were guilty of trying to spin the ball into a wind which was not condusive to open play combined with one or two strange refereeing interpretations when the line beckoned meant nothing came to avail and Wath cleared the decks down the slope.

The home side then took the lead for the first time in the match through a penalty which made it 11-10.

Again Phoenix mounted another attack and again instead of sticking the ball in forwards try to batter through the backs –I can t recall any ‘blue’ balls and when they did get close they failed to deliver a try scoring blow. However they did recover the lead with another Millar penalty 13-11.

After this with ten minutes remaining it was all Wath and they were duly rewarded when their substitute winger collected and went over on the left and the kick going over and the league points going to the home side.

On the day this was a lack lustre performance and if Chiswick were watching on this performance they don’t have much to worry about. Lets hope composures can be re-gained, some graft put in and a return to the form Phoenix are capable of see’s them record a victory at Castle Park against Baildon.

For the benefit of Charle’s Stuart in China I can relay that the Phoenix 2nds recorded an excellent home win over Wath 2’s whom over the years historically have always produced strong sides and do believe Jonny played well. Not being omni-present I rely on other reports but if there are any budding journo’s in the 2’s please feel free to send me amatch resume.