No rise for Phoenix as Dinnington progress in Shield

YORKSHIRE SHIELD

DINNINGTON enjoyed the luxury of back-to-back wins as they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Shield with victory over the current leaders of Yorkshire Two.

On a bitterly cold day, the elements would contribute to a high level of errors.

Dinnington made a strong start and for much of the first half it was one-way traffic as they put the visitors under pressure.

However, poor discipline got Dinnington on the wrong side of the referee early on and it stayed that way throughout.

Indeed, Dinnington had to play the majority of the second half with 14 men after one of their players received two yellow cards.

Doncaster also had two players in the bin during the game.

Numerous times, Dinnington had decisions reversed and had they controlled themselves better the game could have been over before half-time.

Instead they only led 17-0 after tries from Sam Palmer, Matthew Starr and Ryan Donnelly and a Jonny West conversion and were lucky that poor handling by Doncaster prevented the visitors from cutting into that lead before the break.

Doncaster made a rousing start to the second half throwing everything at Dinnington.

They wasted a couple of good chances before a well-worked move brought them a converted try.

Dinnington, at this point one man short, realised they had work to do and lifted their game.

A penalty from West gave Dinnington a 13-point lead and then a touch of individual skill by the same player saw him zigzag his way through the Doncaster defence to score under the posts and add the extra points.

Dinnington were soon back in the Doncaster half and opted to kick a penalty to effectively put the game safe but there was still time for both sides to waste chances.

The hosts finished the game strongly as Doncaster began to tire and play started to get a bit feisty as the visitors became frustrated.

On Saturday Dinnington travel to bottom-of-the-table Knottingley where they know they will have to be more clinical and even more disciplined if they are to come away with anything.