Doncaster Rugby Club

A thoroughly professional performance away at wet and windy Stocksbridge saw Phoenix back on track in the league with a 37-0 victory.

Wing Adam Burton led the side in the absence of The Horse Longworth with Roger Morris taking the vacant second row berth but it was Michael Roodt at blind side flanker who produced the performance of the day.

Stocksbridge is never the easiest place to play and much rested on the forward’s performance as the conditions and tiny pitch had a huge impact on the manner of play.  There was very little opportunity to spread the ball wide so most of the graft had to be done up front.  The Phoenix eight was more than up to the task as they outplayed their counterparts in all aspects of the game.

The first try came after only ten minutes when Tim Elliott blocked a defensive kick on the 22 and inside centre Martin Lowcock collected the free ball to score under the posts.  Ben Millar converted.

Soon after Roger Morris took a crash ball into the Stocksbridge 22 and managed to offload as he hit the ground for supporting runner Michael Roodt to score.  The try again converted by Millar.

Two penalties towards the end of the half by Millar gave a comfortable 20-0 lead at the break.

Only three minutes into the new half Jon Ellis crashed through 3 tackles to extend the lead after the pack had put Phoenix in good field position.  Millar converted.

Ten minutes later inspired pack leader and hooker Dave Atkinson took a centre field scrum against the head, fly half Tim Elliot broke blind, dummied to supporting winger Charles Foster, and sprinted all the way to the corner effectively sealing the win at 32-0.

Stocksbridge, to their credit rallied and camped out in the Phoenix 22 for about fifteen minutes.  In particular they started winning good lineout ball and stole a few from the Phoenix.  A resolute visitor defence held firm though, and the win was completed with only five minutes remaining as skipper Burton finished a backs move from an attacking scrum.  Final score 37-0.

A solid performance all round but the opposition will be much tougher this weekend as Phoenix entertain top-of-the-table Thornensians.