Doncaster Rugby Club

This Saturday saw Doncaster Phoenix embark on the Silver Trophy trail entertaining Knaresborough who are currently heading Yorkshire Division 5 with a 100% record and came with a view to providing the home side with a stern test.

The side included the return of Gareth Forey in the front row, with Skipper Longworth having a rest it meant a Douglas/Skidmore alliance at locks and Steve French returning in the back row next to his ‘chum’ Oliver. The backs remained the same as the week previous the only exception was Tom Elliot missing out due to illness.

It was the visitors who stated with intention and took the game to Phoenix with a large pack who outgunned their hosts in the scrum and the line out and were duly rewarded with the first score from a catch and drive five yards out courtesy of scrum half Bism on the ten minute mark and converted by McDonald.

The visitors maintained the pressure and Phoenix were lacklustre in their response failing to secure any decent possession.  Hence, the visitors added to their tally from a similar manoeuvre with another try from O’Lensquy – 12-0.

Phoenix then decided to join the game and responded with some open play and looked to play to their strengths. They were awarded a penalty and opted to kick for the corner and look to return the favour. Despite the anticipated catch and drive the ball bobbled in the line with French sharp enough to react and charge over with Elliot adding the 2 points.

Phoenix then levelled the game through their attacking back flair with ball coming to full back Gray who tied the contest with a score in the left hand corner.

With the advantage of the slope and the breeze the visitors capped off the half getting the ball into Phoenix territory and opting for the line out close range again. The line out was countered well by the home pack but Scrum half Bism broke blind and went over for a converted try and a 17-12 score line in the visitors favour.

Phoenix turned round with the advantage of the slope, wind and sun and with their superior fitness they proceeded to secure the game with a decisive fifteen-minute period where they banged in four tries.

First try was Elliot who orchestrated the play to receive the ball twenty out he saw space and using his pace broke the gap and went under the sticks leaving his opposition for dead, Poskitt adding the conversion.

Dan Morris then added the second after the forwards won a scrum and the resulting back row move combined with the backs penetration allowed him to go over for his second consecutive home try.

With the backs now making yards at will it wasn’t long before Captain Burton added his name to the score sheet and then Elliot bagging his brace both efforts unconverted but the game now in the bag after a devastating fifteen minutes which showed the visitors what they will need to strive for in a higher division.

The game was capped with the try of the day when Burton received the ball and broke forty yards only to be hauled down short of his target, with French in support he popped the ball to him allowing him to net his brace with Poskitt adding the conversion.

Despite the slow start this continued Phoenix’s winning ways and when they get the ball moving in the back s and combined with the supporting forwards this was a fine victory against tough opposition.

Phoenix Seconds travelled to Wetherby in the merit table and came close but lost 16-12 with indiscipline proving costly allowing the hosts to benefit in a game they should have won.