A hard fought Junior Vase final saw Phoenix have plenty of possession and territorial advantage during the first half, despite being unable to make a breakthrough, while they managed to turn the game around after the break to lead 11-7 heading into the closing stages.

But a late try from Castleford centre Jason Dunwell - after being set up by man of the match Lee Land - denied Phoenix a famous victory at rugby union headquarters.

Farley said: "If we had kept control and used more of the possession when we were in charge in the second half then maybe the result might have been different.

"But lessons are to be learned and we can hold our heads up high.

"It's a shame that the one guy (Land), who was our nemesis throughout, unlocked our defence."

He added: "I think on the day it was a cracking final and both teams can be proud of themselves.

"It was a good advert for Yorkshire rugby and for Yorkshire Three.

"I thought we saw some nervous moments early on from both sides but that was to be expected.

"It was tiring for both sides.

"Maybe we were slightly fitter but they held out and kept their nerve.

"Congratulations to them."

It was Phoenix's third defeat of the season against their Yorkshire Three rivals but Castleford winger Land paid tribute to the determined Doncaster side.

He said: "Towards the end of the game Doncaster made us work really hard - credit to them because they didn't make it easy.

"It was as hard as we expected - Doncaster are tough every time we play them.

"They're very physical, have a tough set of forwards and fast backs - they're a really difficult side to beat."