Doncaster Phoenix narrowly beaten by Scunthorpe in Papa Johns Community Shield opener

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A change in competition failed to bring a change of luck for Doncaster Phoenix as they lost 13-20 to Scunthorpe in their Papa Johns Community Shield opener.

Injury-hit Phoenix lost their final eight games of the season in the Regional 1 North East, finishing ninth overall despite topping the table in September.

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Scunthorpe, who finished one place below them, started brightly having been buoyed by beating the drop and opened the scoring with a converted try after 15 minutes.

But Phoenix didn’t let their heads drop and cut the deficit when flanker Harry Williams touched down on the half-hour mark.

Tom O'Brien scored a try and a penalty for Phoenix.Tom O'Brien scored a try and a penalty for Phoenix.
Tom O'Brien scored a try and a penalty for Phoenix.

Fly-half Tom O’Brien was unable to convert but did add a penalty just before half-time to give his side a narrow 8-7 lead at the break.

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The visitors were quick to respond after the interval and went ahead through a penalty of their own before another converted try opened up a 17-8 lead with 55 minutes played.

Phoenix came back again with a try in the corner from O’Brien five minutes later, which he was unable to convert from a tight angle.

Scunthorpe secured revenge for the two defeats inflicted by Phoenix during the regular season when they scored another penalty with 10 minutes to go to make it 20-13.

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Phoenix play Oundle in their next Pool 1 match next weekend.

There was better news for Phoenix’s second team, who secured top spot in the South Merit league with a 100 per cent win record after beating Sheffield 3rds 20-19.

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