Doncaster Phoenix suffer controversial derby defeat to Scunthorpe

Doncaster Phoenix felt aggrieved after suffering an agonising 26-27 defeat at home to local rivals Scunthorpe.
Will Smith is pictured on his way to scoring against Scunthorpe. Photo: FSP ImagesWill Smith is pictured on his way to scoring against Scunthorpe. Photo: FSP Images
Will Smith is pictured on his way to scoring against Scunthorpe. Photo: FSP Images

The Castle Park club picked up two bonus points from a close fought game.

But they felt it should have been more were it not for a couple of controversial decisions by the referee which both resulted in scores for the visitors.

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Scunthorpe had the best of the early exchanges with their big forwards running hard at the Phoenix defence which stood strong and conceded only a penalty on eight minutes.

The home side then turned the tide on Scunthorpe with flanker Will Taylor scoring a pushover try following good line out work.

Winger Sam Nunn then collected a cross-field kick from Seth Adams with the two then combining to pick up a seven-point score and a good 12-3 half time lead.

Scunthorpe started the second period as they did the first with their backs and forwards running well.

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Again the Phoenix defence stuck to the task until the referee gave the visitors a scrum put-in following a dropped ball by their fly half '“ a decision which cost Phoenix as Scunthorpe scored from the play.

Phoenix were then further frustrated when the official blew for a Scunthorpe player held up over the line, halting play before then allowing the player to roll over and score '“ for which he then awarded the try.

Despite then being a player down due to a yellow card offence, Nunn and Will Smith ran in two excellent length of field tries for Phoenix, both converted by Nunn to put them into a 26-15 lead.

However, the opposition finished strongly with two tries, one converted, to give them a one-point lead and a victory to take them to the top of the Midlands Premier Division.

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Phoenix hope to return to winning ways when they play Sheffield on Saturday.

Wheatley Hills went down 42-29 at Northallerton in Yorkshire Division Two.

Thornensians made it three wins from four in Yorkshire Division Three with a 22-7 win over previously unbeaten Leeds Corinthians.

Ryan Pilley, James Fenwick and Ross Haley scored the tries for Thorne, while Tom Holt kicked two conversions and a penalty.

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