Despite enjoying the upper hand at the set-piece, Doncaster Phoenix didn't use the elements as effectively as their opponents on the day, with the host’s fly-half deservedly winning the man of the match award as he relentlessly booted his side deep into Phoenix territory.

Despite playing into the strong wind in the first half, it was Phoenix who made the early running as they played some impressive running rugby which led to a penalty in front of the posts, converted by fly-half Ben Millar. The Scarborough fly-half set the tone for the day, as he punished any Phoenix penalty with kicks deep into their 22. From one such penalty the hosts grabbed the first try, their initial catch and drive was well repelled, however a fumbled ball was picked up by a home forward who dived over for an unconverted try. This was quickly followed with a penalty to put the hosts in front 8-3.

The visitors continued to play some good flowing rugby, and a quick tap penalty on the home 22 by scrum-half Tim Elliot was backed up by Chris Planchant who strolled over for Phoenix’s first try, converted by Millar, 10-8. The score was quickly followed by another, this time for Millar himself as he collected a pop from number 8 Ryan Peacey to barrel his way over the home scrum-half and dot down, 15-8.

Just as the visitors looked to be in control, Scarborough replied with a try of their own. A rare stolen lineout for the home side saw the ball spun out quickly and a missed tackle in midfield allowed the home centre to make a half break before chipping ahead and winning the foot race to touch down for a converted try on the stroke of half time to put the hosts back on level terms at 15-15.

As they had in the first half, Phoenix started the second half strongly. After an early penalty was kicked by Millar, he got his second try of the game shortly afterwards. A good play down the blindside was taken on by Peacey, Stuart and Planchant, before Millar picked and went over from the ruck, 23-15.

However, Scarborough once again came back strongly with their fly-half kicking the corners from an abundance of penalty decisions that continued to go against the visitors in the second half. After one driving-maul was halted the hosts took a scrum on Phoenix 5 metre line, and although Phoenix held out the push, several pick and goes eventually resulted in a try wide on the left.

The visitors continued to put themselves under pressure as they failed to kick the corners with the same accuracy as the hosts, and as the pressure mounted Scarborough added two penalties in quick succession to take the lead at 26-23 – the second of which also saw Peacey sent to the sin-bin for the final 10 minutes of the game.

Despite being down to 14 men Phoenix came back strongly, with one chip through being pushed into touch by the home winger. A quickly taken lineout came to nothing though, and from the resulting scrum Scarborough kicked the ball dead to claim the win.

With a week off next Saturday, Phoenix now look forward to the visit of table topping Wath to Castle Park on 23rd November.