Rugby Union: Bournville victory is sweet for rampant Doncaster Phoenix

Fourth-placed Phoenix were quickly off the mark with former Knights forward Adam Kettle crashing over for the first of their eight tries.

The Birmingham side soon found themselves back level following their first converted try but they were second-best for most of the half.

Phoenix quickly regained the initiative and raced into a commanding 28-7 lead with further tries from Sam Pocklington, Marty Brink and Sam Brooke, who added the extras.

Although the visitors, as have other sides, struggled to cope with Phoenix’s expansive style of play they did have the upper hand in the scrums.

That led to flanker Sam Jones, who recently signed a professional contract with the Knights, being sin-binned following a number of team infringements.

The visitors cashed in on their advantage to claim a second try before the break.

Jones made his presence felt on his return to the fray when bagging a brace of tries either side of a fine effort from the Bournville back line.

Brooke couldn’t convert either but Phoenix still held a match-winning 38-19 lead going into the final quarter.

Pocklington marked a fine display with a second try of the game on 62 minutes before the Brummies secured a four-try bonus point with just under five minutes left to play following more good forward play.

Phoenix had the final say though as Brooke took his personal tally to 26 points on the day when converting his own last-minute try.

Wheatley Hills celebrated their first Yorkshire League One win since early season as they beat Hullensians 23-18.

But with Selby also winning again, the Doncaster side continue to prop up the table.

Third-bottom Thornensians suffered a disappointing 24-7 Division Two defeat at second-bottom Halifax Vandals.

The first half belonged to the home team and they scored two tries, one of which was converted, to lead 12-0.

Thorne, who had emerged with credit from a 17-0 defeat against leaders Pontefract a week earlier, had their chances in the first half but some poor handling put paid to their efforts to move the ball.

Their hopes of a second half comeback suffered a setback when Vandals capitalized on some weak defence to claim a third try within five minutes of the restart.

Thorne’s No 8 Ryan Pilley was sin-binned in the 59h minute and Vandals cashed in on their extra man to claim a fourth touchdown.

Thorne’s overall performance was both lacklustre and toothless and a late converted try by scrum-half Ross Haley proved a mere consolation.