Doncaster Phoenix 20 YMCA 9

Yorkshire II

NOT for the first time this season, indiscipline cost YMCA dear as they went down to their latest League defeat down in South Yorkshire.

They played quite well and there were a number of bright moments, but until they learn to let their play do the talking rather than their voices, they will continue to lose games they are capable of winning.

From the start, YM looked to throw the ball around and not get drawn into a forwards battle. Most of the early action took place in Doncaster’s half and when Chris Williams saw the chance to have a go at goal he put his side ahead with a drop.

Doncaster were soon back on level terms, however, when YM were caught offside at a ruck and influential stand-off Ben Millar knocked over the penalty.

The visitors immediately went back on the offensive, and when the Phoenix defence were drawn offside, Gavin Stead put YM back in front with a penalty which was how the match stood at the break.

Doncaster served notice of their intent from the re-start and their forwards began to make inroads, pulling YM’s defence out of shape. They continued to recycle the ball and eventually it was worked out to the right touchline, where full-back Chris Conway took the final scoring pass.

Within seven minutes Stead had restored YM’s lead with his second penalty, Millar having been pulled up for leading into the tackle with his elbow, after which things started to get tetchy with YM starting to lose their discipline, giving away penalty after penalty.

Prop Will Sellars was then yellow carded for a high tackle and Doncaster took full advantage.

The home forwards drove and rucked to good effect and from a well-driven maul loose head prop Mike Liddle forced his way over from close range, to which Millar landed the conversion and put Doncaster back in front at 15-9.

YM’s failure to hang on to the ball and their inability to maintain discipline was becoming a major problem and referee Baker clearly lost patience with the visitors and let Doncaster clear their lines with another penalty for back-chat.

Try as they might, the visitors could not break through Doncaster’s solid defence and on the stroke of full time, Millar nipped round the blind side of a ruck to sneak over for a late try.

YMCA: Horner, Shaw, Stead, Williams, Beever; Swift, Lockwood; Dyke (Stu), Dyke (Ste), Sanderson, Whitehead (Sellars 51), Housley, Hodge, Doyne, Walker. Sub: Lyon