There are only three games remaining in the season, after today (two remaining for Doncaster Phoenix). Neither promotion, nor relegation from North East Regional Division 1 threaten either team, York are in fifth place, Doncaster in ninth. Still, both teams want to compete and end their season’s well. Harry Shackleton played fly-half for York. Harry has a strong rugby league background and started his fifth consecutive game. The York team were experienced. Sam Croft and Luke Stockton continued their sound second-row partnership. Native South-African, Willem Enslin, is strong and vocal at number eight and Toby Atkin reliably captained the side from scrum-half.

A good crowd attended Clifton Park. There was an occasional cold breeze and the sky was spread with puffy grey clouds. After the concession of an early penalty kick, York repelled Doncaster pressure, countered and scored. York winger and ex-colt, Angus Barrick, made a good open-field tackle in defence. York used superior numbers and a large blindside to attack. The consistent centre, Jonty Atkinson, passed to Will Fordy, who advanced and returned the favour to Jonty who was able to run in and get York’s first try. York doubled their lead a few minutes later. Prop-forward, Will Scholey received the ball from an attacking line-out and drove forward powerfully before going over the line. With fifteen minutes gone in the game, York scored their third try. Will Fordy had running room and was able to stretch away from his defender before offloading to outside-centre, Jonty Atkinson.

Doncaster then had a rewarding spell of the game and scored two tries. They played to their strengths and used their forward pack to take advantage of some penalties that York conceded. Phoenix scrum-half, Matty Drennan touched down after consecutive driving maul’s from attacking line-outs. Corey Beck grounded Doncaster’s second try to cap some momentum they had gained through their driving forward pack. York were quick to stabilise though. The front-row of Eddie Westaby, Kyle Consterdine and Will Scholey were edging York towards a consistent advantage at scrum-time. Before half-time, York scored twice more and Doncaster Phoenix received two yellow cards. With York retaining possession inside the Doncaster twenty-two, Phoenix were penalised and received their first yellow. York chose a scrummage and powered forward. The ball was released to the back-line who exploited the space and their man advantage. Harry Shackleton passed to full-back, George Davies who in-turn put Jonty Atkinson into space to score his third try of the game.

York kept up the attacking pressure, Doncaster received their second yellow card for obstructing a ruck ball close to their try-line. They successfully prevented the York backline from scoring but were again penalised. York kept the ball tight this time and Willem Enslin scored from the base of the driving scrummage. York 29 Doncaster Phoenix 12 at half-time.

Doncaster started the second half with aggression and determination. On the day though, York, as a team, were excellent. Early in the second half, York openside flanker Paddy Hayes, Willem Enslin and Will Scholey all carried the ball forward before Will off-loaded to Toby Atkin in support. Toby ran in to score from thirty five metres out. Harry Shackleton was kicking the ball expertly from hand to gain field position and release any pressure that Doncaster were applying. Luke Stockton and Sam Croft were disrupting Doncaster lineouts. The tall York second-rower, Sam Croft, had space to range forward and with only one defender for company, he passed to Toby Atkin who was again, in support to score York’s seventh try.

York continued to tackle well, remain organised and force Doncaster mistakes. Doncaster did score an excellent try with five minutes of the game remaining. Their winger, Josh Fowler, kicked perfectly into space behind the York defensive line, showed excellent pace and got a lovely bounce which he collected to score. The final try of the game went to York’s George Davies. He burst through some tired and frustrated Doncaster defence. During the match, Harry Shackleton secured four try conversions and George Davies kicked one. Final score was York 50 Doncaster Phoenix 17.

Doncaster Phoenix played with determination throughout the game but York were very impressive as a team today. Congratulations to the players and staff from both teams. York travel to West Bridgford next Saturday. Doncaster visit bottom-side, Paviors.