Doncaster 8 - Harrogate 6

Harrogate Colts just failed to secure their first away win of the season at Doncaster when a late drop goal snatched the game away from them. A mixture of injuries and illness meant it was a depleted squad that travelled to Doncaster’s impressive facilities and the starting line up included several changes from last weeks encounter. James Perry made his first appearance for the team at scrum half and Noel Minikin returned following a long spell on the sidelines.

The game was closely fought throughout with neither side able to put together enough phases to really threaten the opposition. Harrogate’s forwards battled hard against a powerful Doncaster pack with Rob Davidson putting in a tremendous performance to earn him the man of the match award.

Harrogate took an early lead with a penalty from Charlie Hunt but the remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair. Doncaster were awarded three penalties of their own but their kicker was having an off day and all his efforts were missed. However from one of these attempts Harrogate tried to run the ball out from behind their own line rather than opting for the 22 drop out. Unfortunately the ploy failed and the move gave away a line out close to Harrogate’s line which Donny secured before driving over for the only try of the game.

Harrogate’s players responded positively and battled hard to take back the lead. Just before half time they were awarded another penalty and Charlie Hunt coolly slotted it over from 40 yards out.

In the second half defences again dominated and there were few clear cut opportunities. Both sides narrowly missed penalty chances and as the weather deteriorated it looked as if the Harrogate lads had done enough to secure the win. This was cruelly snatched away however when with 3 minutes left on the clock Doncaster’s fly half surprised everyone by dropping for goal from some 45 yards out. After the succession of missed penalties this was the one occasion he struck the ball perfectly and it sailed over to give Doncaster the points.