Despite warm, dry conditions the game was dominated by two big packs as both teams were guilty of making several handling mistakes. It was following one such indiscretion that the first points of the day were almost scored after an even opening 15 minutes. A penalty from 35 metres out fell short of the posts, however the Phoenix players failed to clear the danger and a Middlesbrough player was just inches short of claiming the try as the ball rolled dead.

It would be Phoenix who claimed first blood though, as the impressive Doncaster pack drove Middlesbrough off their own ball on their 5 metre line. Ryan Peacey drove on from 8, and James Holland playing out of position at 13 was then hauled down inches short before quick ball found its way to Joe Lowcock who went over for an unconverted try.

The hosts responded strongly to the early setback, and after three penalties were kicked downfield their impressive rolling maul rumbled over for a try in the corner for prop Isa Warsama to even up the scores at 5-5.

Middlesbrough then took the lead with the try of the afternoon. Another rolling maul was this time halted by the Phoenix forwards, however this created some space out wide and the home winger Rhys Killbride took full advantage as he beat three men to go over in the corner.

With the half drawing to a close, Phoenix levelled up the scores as from another strong scrum on the Middlesbrough 5 metre line, man of the match Ryan Peacey picked and went over for the first of his brace.

The second half was an equally tight affair, however Phoenix got their noses in front after 50 minutes as fly-half Mark Steadman converted a penalty from in front of the posts to make the score 13-10.

There were only 2 real moments of note in the remaining 30 minutes of the game, both of which led to tries for Phoenix. The first of which followed a superb 50 metre break from scrum half Josh Walker, who had intercepted a pass from the Middlesbrough number 8 following yet another strong Phoenix scrum. Quick ball was spun out to Steadman who was stopped just short of the try line, the ball squirted out from the tackle, with the referee adjudging it to have come off a Middlesbrough hand, and winger Tom Barker was first to react to touch down for the try.

Finally, with only a couple of minutes left of the game, and an 8 point cushion in their favour, Phoenix kicked a late penalty to the corner. As Middlesbrough attempted to defend the rolling maul they left the blind side open for Ryan Peacey to outpace (yes, really) the last defender and touch down in the corner for the bonus point try.