1st XV
Matches
Sat 15 Jan 2011  ·  Yorkshire Division Two
Doncaster Phoenix
1st XV
Tries: T Elliot (2), D Morris, T Elliot, UnknownConversions: Unknown (3)Penalties: Unknown (2)
37
0
Hullensians
Doncaster Phoenix 37 - 0 Hullensians

Doncaster Phoenix 37 - 0 Hullensians

Adam Burton17 Jan 2011 - 13:49
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Doncaster Phoenix put in their best performance of the season to hammer old rivals Hullensians.

Following last weeks narrow one point defeat at league leaders Huddersfield YMCA, Phoenix made four changes to the starting 15, with Matt Fisher and Bevan Wilkinson making their debuts at prop and lock respectively, Nick Byrne coming in at Number 8 for Ollie Clarke and Tom Elliot starting on the wing as his brother moved into the centres to replace the injured Jono Storey.

Phoenix kicked off the game hoping to make the most of a strong wind behind their backs, however it was Hullensians who kept possession for the first 10 minutes. Just like the previous week though, some very strong defence from Phoenix kept Hullensians pinned in their own half, and eventually they gave away a penalty in front of the sticks which fly half Dan Storey converted.

From the restart, Hullensians again kept possession well, however more aggressive defence from Phoenix left 'Ensians running out of ideas in attack and when they threw out a speculative pass, their winger was caught man and ball and lost possession for centre Tim Elliot to race over for the first try of the game which Storey converted.

Phoenix then got their first real spell of possession, and after breaking the gain line out wide the ball was spun back in field for portly prop-cum-back rower Dan 'Marathon-Man' Morris to barge his way over from 5 metres, the try was converted to leave Phoenix 17-0 up at half time.

Restarting the game, Hullensians had the benefit of the wind and as expected they started the half looking for an early score to get them back into the match. For the first 5 minutes of the second half they camped in the Phoenix 22, however more strong defence eventually saw them make an error and allowed Phoenix to clear their lines.

The introduction of Ollie Clark and Shandy Longworth to the pack gave the Phoenix forwards extra impetus and after a good break from Clarke the ball found its way to Tom Elliot on the wing who cut inside his opposite number to score out wide, the conversion was missed to leave the score at 22-0.

Phoenix immediately went back on the attack and after a period of pressure, player-coach Dan Storey stepped through the Hullensians defence to add the bonus-point fourth try, which he converted to make the scores 29-0.

With the match all but won Phoenix were able to replace Fisher with Wood and safely move Morris back to his natural position at prop.

A penalty from in front of the sticks was kicked and with 5 minutes to go Phoenix added the cherry to a near faultless performance as Tim Elliot added his second score of the game to leave the final score at 37-0.

This was the best performance of the season from a rapidly improving Phoenix squad, with a highly disciplined display seeing Phoenix concede less than 10 penalties all match. A similar display next week at Leodiensians should see Phoenix secure their illusive first away win of the season.

Match details

Match date

Sat 15 Jan 2011

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

13:00

Competition

Yorkshire Division Two
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Primary Club Sponsor - TFG Capital
Player sponsor - Taylor Wimpey