Doncaster took the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the Yorkshire Premier League with leaders Pontefract 1 not in action this week.
The South Yorkshire side, seeking to recapture the title they won in 2023/24, found themselves in arrears early on Wednesday night at home to Pontefract 2.
Young Noah Riley won an epic tussle with Ed Walker in five and Connor Sheen overcame world no.87 Asia Harris in three tight games to give Ponte’s second team a real chance of an upset.
However, Doncaster’s top order hit back, with Indian Abhinav Gupta ousting USA’s Ben Gemma in five, Aussie David Turner toppling teenager Chester Dockray and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Declan James defeating Kiwi Lwamba Chileshe to complete the turnaround.
The 16-8 team victory narrows the gap on leaders Pontefract 1 to eight points, although the defending champions have a match in hand, having played only nine.
Dunnington’s hopes of challenging for the title receded with a 19-5 defeat at fifth-placed Harrogate, leaving the York club 27 points off the pace.
Harrogate had the bonus points wrapped up early on thanks to victories for Alec Fuller, Isaac Green and Gabriel Cox, with former world no.20 Chris Simpson also beating Amaad Fareed at no.2. Dunnington’s only consolation was a gritty five-game win at top string for Owain Taylor over fellow Welshman Rhys Evans.
Queens of Halifax whitewashed bottom side Cleethorpes 20-0 and have now won four of their last five matches to climb to fourth.
Playing their home games at Huddersfield following last April’s fire at the club, Queens demolished the visitors from Lincolnshire with straight-games wins for skipper and former world no.15 Sarah Campion, Danny Bray, Ben Gibson, Jordan Hardwick and James Earles.
Hallamshire are just four points above the dreaded dotted line after their sixth defeat in their last seven, the latest at home to mid-table Ferriby Hall.
Humberside stalwarts Fiona Moverley and Glyn Saunders kicked things off with straight-games wins in the lower order. Although Nick Wall Snr and captain Adam Turner levelled matters at 2-2, Ben Smith clinched victory for Ferriby by conquering Kiwi Temwa Chileshe at top string in rapid fashion.
