Dinnington lose out at home to title hopefuls

Two tries early in the second half gave them too much to do.

The weather conditions were far from ideal and the game was littered with handling errors. Steady rain before the game made underfoot slippery and although it abated, a strong wind was still blowing.

Dinnington had the advantage of the elements in the first half and went on the attack from the start. An early chance went astray when a kick failed to find touch but, with only six minutes on the watch, Dinnington took the lead with the next.

A free-kick at a scrum was taken quickly and Awly Trueman was sent in under the posts giving Jonny West a straightforward conversion and Dinnington a 7-0 lead.

This raised the hopes of the home supporters but the lead did not last for long. Ten minutes into the game a kick over the top by Doncaster looked about to be dealt with comfortably when a gust of wind took it away from the arms of the waiting defender allowing the visitors to regain possession and score.

For the next quarter of an hour both sides had chances that ended with errors before Dinnington did well to steal the ball at a lineout on their own line to clear.

This proved to be a momentary respite as Doncaster came straight back and a well-worked move saw them take the lead as a grubber kick was collected by their centre coming through on the angle to claim an unconverted try.

Seven minutes before half time Doncaster went further ahead with a penalty and although they ended the half on the attack, Dinnington could find no response.

Dinnington were still in the game as the sides turned round as they had shown the previous week that playing against the elements was no real handicap.

However, they had to battle harder to get out of their own half and an error in the first minute allowed Doncaster to crash through the middle to score under the posts.

Another error allowed Doncaster to set up a catch and drive but Dinnington defended it well.

The pressure continued and, after working the ball through several phases, Doncaster scored again to go 27-7 and make the game safe with only ten minutes of the half gone. From then on there was little to choose between the two sides.

Both had chances to attack but the conditions meant handling was difficult and knocks-on littered the play. In the final minute Dinnington set up their best attack of the half but Chris Williams was forced into touch after an initial break by Andrew Pickering had made good ground.

Dinnington continue their league campaign when they travel to Beverley on Saturday, February 13.