Rugby Union: Doncaster Phoenix run in six tries to seal first home win

Phoenix ran out 36-15 winners against opponents who were promoted last season.

Phoenix started brightly and were quickly on the board when winger James Wright went over for an unconverted try after a slick passing move just ten minutes in.

The visitors were quick to respond and having gained possession in Phoenix territory, they worked the ball wide for centre Tom Bridgeman to go over in the corner and tie up the scores.

This seemed to spark the home side into life and for the remainder of the half the home pack took hold of the game. It wasn't long before fly-half Will Burden went over to score a try, which he then duly converted.

Phoenix were now dominant and when Wright added his second and a third try for Phoenix on the half hour mark, again converted by Burden, the hosts were well worth their 19-5 lead.

The visitors fought hard but struggled to maintain possession and were punished on the stroke of half-time when hooker Pete Atkinson showed blistering pace to crash over the line.

The fast feet of Wright saw him seal his hat-trick with a touchdown under the sticks on the hour mark, converted by full-back Seth Adams.

Kettering certainly did not give up and were rewarded with a try ten minutes later from centre Jon Plowright.

However, this was instantly matched almost straight away by Phoenix centre Will Smith.

He broke through the visitors' defence to score an unconverted try and give the home side a 36-10 lead with just five minutes to go.

The visitors did score a third try in the final minutes through winger Matt Nield but it was not enough to secure a losing or try scoring bonus point and they left Castle Park empty-handed.

As for Phoenix, this was a solid home performance and with 19 points from their last five games they now sit in eight position in the league table.

Phoenix visit fourth-placed Newport (Salop) this Saturday. They then host Paviors on Saturday, December 21.