Doncaster Phoenix 5 v Harrogate 7

Doncaster Phoenix 5 Harrogate 7
Saturday 23 March 2024

With Phoenix at the wrong end of the table and Harrogate pushing for promotion, this might have been expected to be a one-sided affair, but that was not the reality.

Harrogate started with a strong wind at their backs and had the opportunity to take the lead in the 11th minute when they were awarded a scrum penalty. However, Oli Toomey pulled the ball wide.

Gate spent most of the half on the attack, but Phoenix’s strong defence prevented any score.

Gate therefore turned round to play into the wind with their promotion hopes potentially hanging in the balance.

Indeed, Gate went behind in the 57th minute. Having won the ball, Phoenix moved the ball right and Jamal Khalil-Ibrahim scored in the corner. Tom O’Brien was unsuccessful with the extras.

Gate’s credentials were being severely tested. However, testament to the group, they fought back. Following forward pressure, captain Sam Brady went over for the equalising try in the 64th minute. With Oli Toomey converting, Gate took the lead that they did not relinquish.

The result means Harrogate are two wins away from promotion back to the National League at the first attempt. However, defeat for Phoenix sees them suffer relegation.

The two teams meet again this Friday, kick-off 3pm.

Teams:

Doncaster Phoenix: McColl, Phillips, Gomes, Bottomley, O’Brien, Brooke, Drennan (c), Leggott, Sengelow, Beck, Powell, Wilkinson, Malpass, Leiper, Khalil-Ibrahim. Replacements: Cox, Oxby, Fenton.

Harrogate: Brook, Miller, Dobson, Fox, Katalau, Toomey, Horberry, Peace, Maycock, Butler, Dodds, Brady (c), Kaisia, Leatham, Hill. Replacements: Olley, Edgar, Coser.

Referee: Tom Doig (Yorkshire Society)

Tim Thorley
Harrogate RUFC
25 March 2024