Narrow Victory Sees U16s Claim First Away Win of the Season

A game that Doncaster will be disappointed to have lost, ended with a tense final five minutes that saw Yarnbury win by 4 points.

Doncaster (10) 20
Yarnbury (5) 24
Try: Edward Green, Jamie Mcdonnell (2), Jacob Butterfield
Cons: Maxwell Lee (2)

Doncaster probably had better territory and possession stats, but with both teams scoring 4 tries, the difference came down to the kicking of conversions for which Doncaster didn’t complete any. Post-match comments complimented the team on improvements at the lineout and their continued dogged defensive work although, it was felt that they were only operating at 60% of their potential with lots of areas that could be improved upon.

The game began and stayed tight for the opening 10 minutes before Doncaster brought the game to life with some nice attacking play. A lovely chip kick inside the 22 almost saw their winger go over for the first score in the corner, but instead it came 3 minutes later when Yarnbury failed to clear their lines following a scrum. They decided to run the ball from the try line, but were turned over in contact, allowing the ball to be moved wide before pick and drives saw the home side go over in the corner. The following conversion was missed; Doncaster 5-0 Yarnbury. It was only 4 minutes later though that Yarnbury made their response; after winning a penalty for a dangerous tackle they kicked for a lineout just inside the opposition 22. A break by Edward Green fell just short of the line, underneath the posts. However Doncaster were penalised for not releasing the tackle, and the ball was quickly tapped and given to Green, who did get his try after stretching for the line. The scores where now level following a missed conversion.

Doncaster came back late in the half, but valiant defence on their own line saw Yarnbury win a penalty when Doncaster didn’t release the ball when tackled. From the ensuing lineout the Yarnbury scrum half’s pass was intercepted. The man was brought down, but a quick pick and drive saw them hit the try line half way between the posts and the corner. The conversion was missed. Half time Doncaster 10-5 Yarnbury.

After 4 minutes of the second half Doncaster were put under pressure, resulting in one of their players kicking the ball behind the dead ball line for a Yarnbury 5m scrum. Joe Birchall was stopped just short before the ball could be played wide to Jamie Mcdonnell, who could roll out of a tackle and score. Maxwell Lee converted to give Yarnbury the lead for the first time in the match, by 2 points. Strong defence was required once again by Yarnbury soon after this as Doncaster applied continuous and unrelenting pressure within Yarnbury’s 22. They were held up twice over the try line, and were awarded multiple penalties in quick succession, before eventually one of these penalty advantages paid and they were able to score close to the posts. The conversion was missed, Doncaster now led 15-12.

The next 3 minutes of play would turn the game on its head. Good pressure from the kick off, resulted in a poor Doncaster clearance kick that was well caught by Maxwell Lee who could run the ball back in before a lovely pass by Oscar Andrews saw Jamie Mcdonnell score in the corner for his 2nd of the game. The incredibly difficult conversion was made by Maxwell Lee. From the kick off the ball was secured before a long clearance kick by Maxwell Lee would allow Jacob Butterfield to chase. The Doncaster defender reached the ball first by way of a dive but would spill it across his try line and gift the flying Yarnbury winger 5 points for his side. The conversion couldn’t be made this time, but Yarnbury led by 9 with 10 minutes to go.

Doncaster responded when they won a penalty on half way and put in a kick for touch that landed 7m out from the try line. Their lineout was overthrown but their flanker could catch the ball, running diagonally to score under the posts. However, the conversion was clearly rushed with the clock ticking, which resulted in the kick going under the bar. A tense final five minutes was to follow. Multiple penalties were given away in this short space of time, but Doncaster made none of them pay until eventually their winger was forced into touch and the whistle was blown. Final score Doncaster 20-24 Yarnbury.

Yarnbury: Oscar Andrews, Jamie Mcdonnell, Matt Schofield, Edward Green (capt), Jacob Rawson, Maxwell Lee, Jamie Baker, Carter Proctor, Sam Brown, Luke Woodend, Ruairi Daly, Ethan Dawrant, Joe Pilling, Joe Birchall, Alex Koppany

Replacements: Dan Mitchell, James Longhawn, Jack Brownridge, Jacob Butterfield

Man of the Match: Joe Pilling, always dose the dirty work, great tackling and good clear out work merited the award.