Despite the visitors enjoying the vast majority of posession and territory throughout the match, it was the home side who outscored the visitors by two tries to none on a day dominated by two strong defensive displays.

Despite playing into a strong wind, the first half saw Phoenix in the ascendancy. However, time and again promising attacking positions were given up through a combination of unforced errors, conceded penalties and an impressive Dinnington defence. The home side were much more clinical, and from one of their few attacks in the half a penalty was kicked to the corner and a driving maul sent veteran John Dudley over the line for the only score of the half. 5-0.

The second half was a more even affair, however Dinnington’s frustration began to spill over, and saw them marched back 10 yards on several occasions. These put Phoenix fly half Ben Millar within striking distance and on three occasions he slotted penalty kicks to put the visitors in front at 9-5. With the wind at their backs the visitors seemed to be heading for the victory, however a harsh yellow card for second row Nick Byrne with just over 10 minutes to go saw Dinnington gain the upper hand.

Several scrums and driving mauls were well repelled by the visitors, and when they claimed a penalty with just 2 minutes to go the visiting support thought the game was won. However, the strong wind got hold of the clearing kick to send it over 100 metres over the dead ball line and give Dinnington a scrum back on the Phoenix 5 metre. Again, Doncaster seemed to have done enough for the win as they turned the ball over for a scrum of their own, however a penalty conceded at the next breakdown gave the visiting fly half Jonny West the opportunity for a quick tap, and quick ball saw the home Number 8 Will Marshall dive over in the corner for the winning try with the last play of the game to break Phoenix hearts and leave the final score at 10-9.

The loss gives Dinnington and Ilkley a cushion now at the top of the league, and promotion would seem a tall order for Peacey’s men. However, with six games still to play, and Ilkley still having to travel away to both Dinnington and Doncaster, all hope is not lost, and Phoenix will look to get back to winning ways when they play host to North Ribblesdale on March 1st.