Deakin inspires Phoenix to a Bonus Point Win.

Deservedly trailing 7 points to 13 at the break Phoenix had plenty to do in the remaining 40 minutes following a disjointed 1st half performance.

Roundhegians took the lead after only 5 minutes through a penalty from their fly half following a spell of sustained possession. Enjoying the best of the opening exchanges the lead was well deserved and served Phoenix with notice that Roundhegians were not there to merely make up the numbers.

Phoenix, initially, responded well with a strong defensive effort quelling the Leeds side impressive start and allowing them their 1st foray into the ‘hegians 22. Deakin registered his 1st of the day on the 15 minute mark courtesy of a well worked backs move which opened up just enough space in the opposition midfield for the full back to speed through to score beneath the posts – the extras were added by Fly Half Dan Storey. 7-3.

This was about as good as it got for Phoenix in the 1st half as they went on to make far too many unforced errors and lacked the fluidity that the clubs recent success has been built around. Roundhegians were to capitalise on such errors and on 18 minutes kicked a penalty taking the scores to 7-6 this was followed on 34 minutes by a well taken try from their left winger as they created an overlap to send him in at the corner. 7-13

Half Time: Doncaster Phoenix 7 – 13 Roundhegians.

Whatever was said at half time seemed to do the job, Phoenix returned from the break to score 16 unanswered points in a 30 minute period which effectively won them the game. Deakin was quick to add to his try tally striking only 5 minutes into the 2nd half to regain the lead for Phoenix, the try again converted by Dan Storey. Storey added another 3 points on 56 minutes to extend the lead to 17-13.

Phoenix were now playing some good rugby moving the ball well and dragging the Roundhegians forwards around the pitch. Spotting a miss match in the greens defensive line Owen Denovan sped through a gap in midfield rounded the full back and touched down to the far right of the posts despite the attention of a covering defender. 22-13.

Whilst never really dominant Phoenix were now certainly in the ascendancy and were generating good quick ball at the breakdown, Dan Storey was to take advantage of this on 70 minutes as he created the teams bonus point try via a half break close to the ruck which was well supported by Deakin giving him the opportunity to complete an excellent hat trick of try’s. Storey added the extras, 29 – 13.

To their credit Roundhegians didn’t roll over and die, for the remaining 10 minutes they enjoyed arguably their best period of the match, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory. Keeping the ball tight they marched into Phoenix territory, earning themselves a penalty 5 yards out which was subsequently tapped and forced over for a try by there 2nd row who had carried well all afternoon. 29 - 18

Now sensing they might get something from the game Roundhegians continued to press the Phoenix defence for the final 5 minutes however it was not to be and the men in blue saw out the remaining time to guide the team home to a bonus point win which saw them move within 1 point of Selby at the top of the table.

Final Score: Doncaster Phoenix 29 - 18 Roundhegians

In the end it was a pleasing bonus point victory over a well organised and vastly improved (from their last visit into Yorkshire 2) Roundhegians side who made Phoenix earn every point they scored. Over the last month Peacey’s men have shown that there is an increased depth to squad with the pack on Saturday showing a number of changes to the previous weeks whilst remaining competitive. The management will welcome next weeks break which hopefully allow those injured players the time they need to recover before 2 mouth-watering fixtures against top of the league Selby and 3rd placed Sheffield Medicals.