IN the lead up to Friday Night Lights, we will be counting down some of our
favourite fixtures since the event’s inception in 2006.
Today we are looking at last year’s fixture which saw Skolars draw 16-16 against
Doncaster.
Doncaster’s Sam Smeaton opened the scoring 12 minutes into the first half to give
the visitors a six-point lead. Neil Thorman then scored off the back of a Jacob
Thomas line break, converting his own try to level the scores. Skolars took the lead
when Thomas moved the ball to the right edge, allowing Aaron Small to force his
way over the tryline.
A high tackle on Thomas in the 40th minute resulted in both flared tempers and a
Thorman penalty goal, sending the Skolars into half-time leading 12-6.
Skolars were the first to earn points in the second half with Thorman extending the
home side’s lead with a second penalty goal. Doncaster narrowed the gap when
Matty Beharrell floated a long pass to their left edge for Sam Doherty to cross the
line. The unsuccessful sideline conversion, which sailed into the posts, would prove
to be important.
Tempers flared again after a misjudged high ball challenge from Jerome Yates on
Doncaster fullback Ben Howe resulted in a Doncaster penalty. Howe would score
in the resulting set, which, after Heharrel’s conversion, saw Doncaster take the lead
for the first time with an 16-14 scoreline.
That would remain the score until a second high tackle on Thomas in the 77th
minute resulted in Thorman adding to his points tally with a third penalty goal.
Two unsuccessful drop goal attempts from Doncaster saw the contest end in a draw.
For tickets to this years Friday Night Lights Fixture, go HERE