Phoenix rise to Yarnbury challenge (From Wharfedale Observer)

Phoenix rise to Yarnbury challenge

10:48am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport

Yarnbury 13 Doncaster Phoenix 14

Yarnbury suffered a narrow defeat in a close-fought encounter against the Yorkshire Two leaders at Brown- berrie Lane.

It was expected to be a full -blooded affair and it lived up to its billing. The visitors started brightly as they set about keeping second-placed Yarnbury on the back foot.

Yarnbury lost possession of the ball on the floor from a penalty and but worked hard to repel Doncaster when they exerted heavy pressure from a tap penalty.

Yarnbury were keen to show adventure but in trying to cut loose and move the ball wide they lost possession.

Phoenix finally breached the Yarnbury line after 20 minutes when a typical catch and drive by the Doncaster pack saw number eight Ryan Peacy touch down for a try which was converted by stand off Dan Storey. Yarnbury hit back with another great break by strong-running centre Jason Avieson who was proving a handful.

When Doncaster were penalised for killing the ball, Carl Paterson stroked over the penalty.

Paterson was relishing the opportunity to outshine Storey and his kicking and distribution were first rate as he pinned Doncaster back.

However he pulled a penalty wide after 35 minutes but redeemed himself on half-time with another chance when Peacy was sin-binned for holding on to the ball on the floor.

Yarnbury knew they had to make their numerical superiority count after the break and they did just that.

A penalty was kicked top the corner where a catch and drive move from the line-out saw wing forward Richard Longstaff get the touchdown.

Paterson converted to raise Yarnbury’s hopes of taking over at the top of the table.

As the game developed into a forward battle, Yarnbury were happy to see Adam Batson and Ian Maycock gain good line-out ball.

Yarnbury were in control of the play for the next 20 minutes but Doncaster rose to the challenge and spread the play wide left for Ryan Greenslade to outpace the defnce near the corner.

Unfortunately the two Yarnbury defenders both went to stop the try and Greenslade managed to evade them and scored under the posts.

John Stuart’s simple conversion put his side ahead.

Yarnbury had an attacking chance from the last play but Patterson's long- range drop goal attempt went wide.

It was a disappointing end to the afternoon for Yarn- bury who are still looking serious promotion challengers and in Avieson had the best back on view.