DONCASTER 54 SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 4

By Ian Golden at Keepmoat Athletics Ground

 

Doncaster eased to win over a vastly understrength Scorpions side in a game played in a small athletic stadium in the shadow of the Rovers ground, Dons’ normal home where the pitch was being reseeded.

 

Scorpions gave away too many penalties and both sides’ handling was nowhere near 100%. The scrum count was 13-10 to the Scorpions which, coupled with the 23 penalties in the game, goes a long way to showing how the game didn’t flow.

 

The visitors pressured their opponents from the off and nearly took the lead, but good defence prevented Dai Evans from crossing for the first try.

 

Scorpions were gifted a second chance when Tom Carr mishandled five metres from goal but another knock on gave possession back.

 

The pouring rain, that last for about 20 minutes in the first half, was affecting everyone. The normally reliable Makali Aizue was next to drop the ball, this time in a scoring position for the Dons.

 

But from the next attack, Brad Nicholson scored under the sticks and Tom Carr converted to give Dons an 11^th minute lead.

 

From the next set, Jordie Hedges ran 40 metres down the wing with Carr improving to double the advantage.

 

Scorpions looked to hit back and Christiaan Roets close to a try but in the end, he only forced a goal-line drop-out.

 

Penalties were partially to blame for Scorpions’ half-time deficit, they gave away eight before the break, and it was from one of those that Doncaster increased their lead on 31 minutes when Mark Castle crashed over in the corner. Carr kicked well to make it 18-0.

 

They went in again from kick off as a good passing move saw Jason Tali score in the same corner. Carr’s kick again superb. 24-0 at the break.

 

Scorpions knocked on from kick off and Doncaster capitalised with Jordan Howden going over and Carr converting.

 

Brad Nicholas crashed over to further increase their lead with Carr again adding the goal.

 

Scorpions finally got over the line on 51 minutes when Kristian Baller set up Jamie Murphy, who failed to convert his own try.

 

The try of the game came on the hour when Louis Sheriff did well to catch Jordan Howden’s lob and acrobatically scored in the corner. Carr converted well.

 

On the back of winning two consecutive penalties, Doncaster went over again with seven minutes to go. Brad Foster with a try and Carr keeping up his 100% kicking record.

 

From another brace on penalties, Doncaster brought up the 50 through a George Milton try that Carr quickly converted.

 

DONCASTER

1              Tom Carr

2              David Foggin-Johnston

3              Liam Welham

4              Jason Tali

22           Louis Sheriff

6              Jordan Howden

7              Jordie Hedges

32           Makali Aizue

9              Kyle Kesik

10           Matt Nicholson

11           Brad Foster

12           Jack Walton

13           George Milton

SUBSTITUTES

14           Ryan Wright

15           Brad Nicholson

8              Mark Castle

28           Zac Braham

 

Tries: M.Nicholson (11), Hedges (16), Castle (31), Tali (35), Howden (42), B.Nicholson (48), Sheriff (60), Foster (73), Milton (76)

Goals: Carr 9/9

 

SCORPIONS

1              Ben Jones

4              Yannic Parker

3              Kyle Scrivens

21           Scott Gregory

5              Dai Evans

30           Jamie Murphy

19           Kristian Baller

28           Martyn Reilly

9              Connor Farrer

10           Izaak Duffy

25           Richard Jones

22           Christiaan Roets

29           Luke Nelmes

SUBSTITUTES

14           Osian Phillips

16           Dafydd Hellard

24           Zak Williams

26           Jordan Syme

 

Tries: Murphy (53)

Goals: Murphy 0/1

 

Referee: Liam Moore

 

Half-time: 24-0

Attendance: 450

 

 

 

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