Phoenix’s League season had finished three weeks previously and this had led to some key players being unavailable. Nevertheless, they competed strongly all game though, if some Harrogate players had concentrated less on showcasing their individual skills, the gap could have been even bigger.

From the kick-off, Harrogate attacked but failed to give what would have been a straightforward scoring pass. However, Doncaster went offside at the subsequent maul and Lewis Minikin’s penalty opened the scoring. Almost immediately, Harrogate’s scrum was penalised and Ben Millar kicked a penalty from the half way line to level the scores.

This was as good as it got for Donny. In open play, Callum Irvine dummied his way through the defence for a try and this was shortly followed by a well controlled driving maul from which Tom Harvey touched down. A powerful Jake Brady midfield run was supported by prop, Nino Cutino who crashed over in the corner. Phoenix never stopped competing and won a penalty when Danny Matthews was sin binned for tackling off the ball. However, they were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage and, in the final move of the half, Harvey drove over for another try. Minikin converted two of the tries, one of them from the touchline.

It was more of the same in the second half though Phoenix played as positively as they could and forced Harrogate’s defence to work hard. Former Harrogate centre, Andy Ellis had an outstanding individual game for the hosts. The next try came from a beautifully judged Irvine pass which put Harry Barnard clear on the left wing. Sam Bottomley, a former Doncaster Colt, scored Harrogate’s next try in the opposite corner following more sustained pressure. .

Scrum- half Matthews atoned for his first half Yellow Card by scoring behind a driving 5 metres scrum and replacement flanker, Rob Flett then scored his debut Harrogate try. The final try came from a beautifully constructed, combined backs attack from deep. Bottomley finished the move with pace and power. Four of the second half tries were converted by Minikin including two from the touchline.

Doncaster Phoenix: Wright, Wallace, Gomes, Ellis, Fowler, Millar, Elliot, Lowcock, Holling, Bagnall, Byrne, Robinson, Devonshire, Henderson, Protheroe. Subs:- Varley, Atkinson, Eyre, Beardshall, Whyte, Farrell, Barker

Harrogate: Minikin, Bottomley, Nesbitt, Edwards, Barnard, Irvine, Matthews, Cutino, Larder, Reaveley, J Brady, S Brady, Harvey, Coser, Enslin. Subs:- Yorke, Peace, Dennis, Giles, Wickham, Wilson, Flett

Referee: Jordan Wagner (Central Yorks)

Match report by Bill Barrack
Photos by David Aspinall