York drop to 5th in this highly competitive Yorkshire One league and lose their unbeaten home record this season as Doncaster Phoenix claim revenge for last week’s win in the Shield. York came out second best yesterday, losing 16 points to 23. Whilst there were many positives from the game from York, who proved that they are still developing as a team, the experience and game management by Doncaster Phoenix proved the difference.

Doncaster Phoenix started the game in a combative mode, pushing York back into their 22 for the opening five minutes. York defence held out stoutly with good organisation as Doncaster pressed for the line from line-out dives and repeated phases of pick and go. The pressure ultimately led to York infringing at the break-down and Doncaster Phoenix sensing the pressure was getting to York, put the ball in the corner for another line-out. The visitors were correct as the line-out was caught and driven well and Doncaster scored their opening try. The conversion missed, York were 0 – 5 down.

The re-start was good for York as a skilful kick and solid chase forced a knock-on and a York scrum deep in the Doncaster half. The York pack were pushed back by Doncaster but Marcus Britland salvaged the ball well from 8 and made yards forward. The York forwards now had a number of phases to get used to attacking rather than defending. Whilst possession was secured efficiently by the York pack, they failed to make any significant ground. Fortunately for the York team, Doncaster were guilty of infringements at the break down, offering George Davis his first attempt at goal. Davis was successful with the boot put York on the score board (Y 3 – DP 5).

With some renewed confidence, York took the ball back to the Doncaster defenders, Bates catching the restart and driving on strongly. Doncaster were penalised again, giving York a line-out in the Doncaster half. Following a number of phases of play a scuffle broke out in midfield involving the majority of forwards. It was unclear what prompted the ‘hand-bags at dawn’ but the referee sent Marcus Britland and Doncaster’s Lowcock for a 10 minute rest.

York were enjoying more ball and some more positive phases of play and a fifth infringement at the breakdown by Doncaster gave Davis a second chance at goal. Even from wider out, Davis secured York the lead 6 – 5. As the half closed, Doncaster Phoenix increased the pressure on York and re-established their field possession in the York 22. An attempt at a try was disallowed for a double movement. As second phase of attack by Doncaster led to a number of scrums close to the York whitewash. Doncaster piled on the pressure and forced York into a number of infringements at the scrum. Rather than press for a penalty try Doncaster can be applauded for playing positive rugby and after a pick and drive by a Doncaster forward, the second phase released the robust fly-half who crashed over under the sticks. Converted, Doncaster Phoenix had secured the half time lead by 6 – 12.

The second half started in a frantic pace, with both sides looking to out-muscle their opposition for dominance in the game. Ultimately, Doncaster won the opening exchanges and secured another three points from a penalty to take the score to York 6 - Doncaster Phoenix 15. York needed to gain better control of the game and play in the Doncaster half. Some better drives by the forwards gave the ever-sprightly Toby Atkins half a chance. Atkins took the half chance and beat a number of defenders in a solo run to score an excellent try. The conversion was unfortunately missed by Davis but the score had given York the momentum to press on (York 11 - Doncaster Phoenix 15).

The following phases of play were punctuated with an increasing number of penalties and ‘knock-ons’, some missed, some dubiously called. The game was evenly poised but York had the momentum and again pressed well in the Doncaster half. From some good pressure, Josh Britland managed to chip over the advancing Doncaster defensive line and collect his own kick. Although Britland was caught by the covering defenders, Curtis Fletcher was on hand to receive the pop pass and go over for Yorks second try. Again the conversion was missed but York now had the lead for the first time in the game (16 -15).

As the game was coming to its conclusion and the home team now had the lead, what was needed by York was an increase in concentration and working on basic phases of play to secure the ball and play in the Doncaster half. Unfortunately the visitors showed their greater collective experience and worked their way back downfield with calm efficiency. Drawing a penalty, Doncaster took a line-out 10m out from the York line and inevitably caught and drove, scoring the try to re-take the lead after only a matter of minutes. Whilst the conversion was missed, Doncaster led 16 - 20.

York did press and attempt to re-take the lead but Doncaster were enthusiastic in defence; potentially too enthusiastic as an accumulation in penalties led to the Doncaster number 7 being yellow-carded. Doncaster however confirmed their win and their superiority in game management by working possession into the York half and dropping a goal to move two scores clear. And this is how the game ended; York 16 - Doncaster Phoenix 23.

York will be both pleased and frustrated in equal measure. They held their own against a very good Doncaster Phoenix side who have now won 10 out of 10 in the league. It is evident that there are a number of very experienced players in the Doncaster side who knew how to control the game to their advantage. The York forwards should be pleased with themselves though, apart from a couple of scrums, they matched the Doncaster pack well. Whilst York did manage to control a decent amount of possession, it was not converted into any significant attacking play by the backs.

Next week sees York travel away to Hullensians in what could be a significant game for the season. A five point haul next Saturday will hopefully see York climb back up into the top four. A defeat could see York drop into mid-table obscurity. The coaching staff and supporters know York are more than capable of putting the performance in next weekend and will be hoping the team can bounce back quickly and effectively from yesterday’s loss.