Doncaster Phoenix RUFC 1st XV 39 – 22 Goole RUFC 1st XV

Goole travelled to Doncaster on Saturday still searching for their first points of the season. With one or two changes due to un-availability, Phil Jackson was coaxed out of retirement to bring some much needed go forward to the pack. Goole got off to a bright start and should have taken an early lead when a 40m drop goal attempt from Rhys Moore appeared to most spectators to have been successful was ruled not so by the referee. After some even exchanges Phoenix took the lead with a simple penalty and shortly afterwards added the first try following a missed tackle in midfield allowed the fullback to cross under the posts, the simple conversion confirmed the 10 point lead after 15 minutes. Erratic kicking from Goole allowed Phoenix to gain easy territory and they soon added another score following a catch and drive at the line out, this time unconverted. Goole then proceeded to have a good period of pressure but lack of patience resulting in another poor kick allowed the home side to clear their lines. On the stroke of half time the Phoenix fly half was sin binned for holding back a Goole player and preventing a long range breakaway.
With the numerical advantage after the break, Goole broke from an early scrum, Tom Betteridge releasing Jamie Shand to sprint 40 metres into the corner for an unconverted try. This score was quickly followed by a long range Rhys Moore penalty and the score was now 15 – 8 to the home side. On the return of their player from the sin bin Phoenix again breeched the midfield defence and scored an unconverted try out wide. On 15 minutes Goole had Phil Jackson sin binned for collapsing a maul and the next 10 minutes saw Goole defend their line manfully whilst a man down until good work from the home side keeping the ball alive saw them add the bonus point 4th try, the successful conversion extending their lead to 27 – 8. Goole tried to respond, but a dropped ball on the Phoenix 22 saw them gather the loose ball and break 80 metres to score and lead 32 – 8. Goole now had to throw caution to the wind and scored two converted tries through Jamie Shand’s long range solo effort and James Dougherty who gathered an opportunist chip over to score from 40 metres out, Rhys Moore adding both conversions. With the lead now only 10 points, Goole required another try for a try bonus point and a possible losing bonus point but failed to use the wind and clear their lines sufficiently and the Phoenix pressure closed out the game, crossing for one more converted try and a 39 - 22 final score. Eight games into the season and no points registered, Goole are seriously up against it. As hard as it is to see any light at the end of the tunnel at the moment, hard work and commitment are required from all involved to try and improve the situation and if they can get a full strength side out surely the corner can be turned and that elusive first victory can be secured. This coming Saturday sees the visit of fellow strugglers Skipton to Westfield, presenting Goole with possibly their best chance so far of kick starting their season. Kick off 3.00pm