Doncaster Phoenix 30 Yarnbury 10

YARNBURY learned just how tough life can be in Yorkshire One as they took on the league leaders on the wide acres of Castle Park.

They went into action without their experienced half-back pairing of Ollie Cashman and Carl Paterson so Stu Wilson switched from full back to scrum half with young Olly Hardaker slotting in at stand-off.

Doncaster made all the early running with only some resolute defence from Yarnbury keeping them out until the 20th minute.

The deadlock was broken when the Doncaster stand-off Jono Storey used his considerable bulk to crash over from five metres for the first try with full back Craig Deakin adding the extras.

This triggered Yarnbury’s best spell of the match as they began to win some ball and looked dangerous in the backs.

The pack were matching their bigger opponents and doing sterling work in defence. They were rewarded when a line-out was won by No 8 James Barrett and quick passing put hooker Tom Gilchrist over in the corner for a try which Hardaker converted to level the scores.

Storey’s experience and distribution skills put winger Josh Fowler in for a second try which Deakin converted.

Yarnbury hit back with a spell of pressure which yielded a penalty which Hardaker landed to reduce the arrears.

A chance of a try went begging when Wilson knocked on after his kick ahead had put him in the clear after a dropped pass by Doncaster.

There was over eagerness in some of Yarnbury’s play and this saw them twice concede penalties which Deakin converted to establish a 20-10 half-time lead.

The second half was more of the same with Yarnbury’s scrum weakening and good ball kept to a minimum by a well-drilled Doncaster outfit.

The Horsforth side were being denied possession from the scrums and line-outs so their play became attritional.

They fell further behind when a long clearance from full back Lee Mortimer was fielded by Deakin. He made a powerful surge up the touchline, swapping passes with centre Tom Battye who scored.

Right on time Battye repeated the dose with the bonus-point try for the league leaders.

Yarnbury were resilient in defence for the whole game and the pack gave their all but Phoenix were just too strong.

Despite the defeat, the Horsforth side have much to be proud of with their start to this season.