ROCHDALE 36 DONCACSTER PHOENIX 20
On a fine Spring like day at Moorgate Avenue a big crowd saw the welcome return of Dale captain Josh Schofield but were missing Steve Collins after he was injured in a training ground incident. Jacob Jackson came into the 2nd row Harry Hayes returned and Emerson Lopez replaced Ethan Poole who dropped to the bench still nursing an injury from the Wetherby game. Doncaster fielded a strong side and despite their lowly position can cause problems as they did in the earlier encounter with Dale when they scored 31 points.
Phoenix were first to score after a penalty took them to the Dale 10m line a good passing move saw their centre go in under the posts making for an easy conversion 7-0 after10 mins. Dale were struggling to get out of their own 22 missing Collins and without the explosive runs of Poole and Dec Conner it was only a series of penalties against Phoenix that got them to a good line out position on the visitors 22 Chris Hodgkinson took the ball and moved it to wing half Harry Hayes who drove over the line for the 1st try converted by Joe Horne to leave the score 7-7 with 25 mins. gone. Dale got the bit between their teeth and Ben Sunderland took a line out ball but was caught with a forward pass, from the scrum on their own 22 Phoenix let the ball go wide but Sunderland was quick to intercept a long pass and let in the ever ready Cliff Howard who’s speedy Crossfield run broke the visitors defence for a second Dale try in the corner.
The conversion was wide so 12-7 Dale had their noses in front now and when a Phoenix forward appeared to knock a pass on deliberately Dale got a free kick but no card was shown, Matty Johnston playing at fly half for Collins made a good Cross field run to let in Harry Hayes who was well held and the ball going forward led to a Phoenix scrum, the attempted box kick by the visitors scrum half Yates was charged down by Joe Donnelly who followed up and then unselfishly passed inside for captain Josh Schofield to score with the conversion by Horne it was 19-7 to Dale. With half time approaching Phoenix were back on the attack and when Dale were penalized in front of the posts the visitors took the points so half time saw the score 19-10.
Phoenix started the 2nd half strongly and after a series of soft penalties Dale were defending their 22 when a scrum to the visitors saw a maul develop and a good try being scored the conversion went in so 19-17 game on. Dale now made some changes and on came Ethan Poole to lend his weight to the Dale attack, he was soon in the middle of the action and after a powerful run he slipped an inside pass to Joesbury to squeeze in at the corner the conversion was just wide and so with 15 minutes left 24-17 to Dale. With Phoenix refusing to lie down pressure on the Dale defence led to another penalty successfully converted 24-20. This was getting too close for comfort when having gone down to 14 men after a yellow card for a high tackle the line out was won by Chris Hodgkinson on the Phoenix 22 and the ball came back to captain Schofield who took on the defence and backed himself with a classic chip over the winger and a powerful run to touchdown for his 2nd try in a great come back performance again the conversion went wide so 29-20 with 5 minutes left.
With tails up Dale went on the attack again Jonny Bradley was on making his presence felt and when he was stopped 5 metres out the ball went back to Schofield who’s Crossfield kick was taken by Jacob Jackson who passed inside for Sunderland to score under the posts, Johnston took the simple conversion leaving the final score 36-20 a 5 try thriller for Dale against a gutsy Doncaster Phoenix side.
Maximum points again leave Dale clear at the top of the division good return for Josh Schofield and several good performances Especially from Ben Sunderland who continues his great season. Next up is a difficult trip to Pontefract who narrowly beat Dale at home earlier in the season, the coach will leave at 12.30 for a 3pm kick off.
A great afternoon at Moorgate Avenue with a continental feel due to sunshine mixing with our Junior section entertaining two touring sides from Madrid, Spain. A great standard of rugby showcasing the game from across the continent!