Doncaster Rugby Club

EDF Junior Vase

Garstang 6 Doncaster Phoenix 9

Phoenix progressed to the 5^th Round of the EDF Junior vase in a hard fought – if not pretty game – with all points coming from penalties in a try-less game.

With injuries a plenty and the thought of a long travel to Garstang (which actually ended up being switched to Preston Grasshoppers ground due to water-logging) saw numerous changes to personnel. The changes revolved mainly around the backs with Jon ‘Surreal-boy’ Stewart coming in at fly half, Dan Brookfield at centre and Tom Elliot on at full back. The bench included Skidmore, Crowe, Watts and Liddle.

The game was heavy going and it was the home side who started strongly with their pack taking the game to the visitors with a pack who preferred to maul with Phoenix letting them by going in to challenges too upright; and on a wet day the handling conditions meant many errors.

The first points were to Garstang with courtesy of an infringement (allegedly!) at the back of the line on the ‘22 allowing the fly half to kick over.

Phoenix matched the score minutes later when in possession the home side infringed the loose with Millar stroking the ball over.

For the next ten minutes exchanges were even until again Phoenix were guilty of handling on the deck allowing another 3 points.

For the last ten Phoenix did have some decent field position but opted to take the wrong option or allow the superior upper strength of the hosts to turn the ball over when the line was close but never realistically challenged. With the whistle beckoning and if looked like Garstang had cleared their decks the no 8 replacement was yellow carded for being over zealous with his boot and allowed Millar an easy kick to level the 45 minute half.

With the slight advantage of the slope and one man light Phoenix advanced to claim another penalty and Miller knocked over the winning points on the day.

Phoenix then had the opportunity to score a touchdown with the introduction of Skidmore who from five yards out nicked the home side throw in, there then followed a comedy of errors. With the ensuing drive Phoenix drove over the line and not realising they had crossed (with scrum half Greensalde going ballistic!) they drove a bit more then  Garstang pushed them out of the score zone and emerged with the ball.

At 9-6 the home side then had a period of pressure where they came close to breaching the line but the defence held strong and some impressive clearance kicks from Stewart kept them at bay.

The last ten Phoenix played in the Garstang half but the game was not pretty but the score remained stable and the whistle bought a few sighs of relief from the coaching staff on the side.

Whilst this wasn’t a spectacle of rugby Phoenix did secure the game in difficult conditions and progress to the last thirty two of the competition which at the end of the day makes the trip worthwhile. Indeed Tommy Curzon still dreams of stepping out at Twickenham prompted by his call from Spain immediately after the game had finished. Spain was feasibly the better option on a day like today.