Looking forward to getting back to winning ways and playing at a stadium which allows for a better atmosphere based upon our average crowd size, expecting a few changes to personnel this week, I felt some of the usual team spirit was missing at Dewsbury, hopefully this was temproary.

Good news! Lee Waterman confirmed as playing on Sunday:

[urlhttp://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/other-sports/rugby-league/doncaster-rlfc-glee-as-lee-is-set-for-dons-return-1-6698441[/url

Dons generally asked to concede 12 points on the Handicap Betting, although a couple of bookies go 14 (Bet365 & Ladbrokes).

Considering that we lost at Whitehaven recently coupled with Whitehaven's decent performance against Leigh last week, this was never going to be an easy game.

Out first half dominence should have perhaps meant we were further ahead at half-time but Whitehaven stuck at it well in the second half and caused us some problems.

To the Dons' credit we gave away very few penalties and kept mistakes to a minimum. If we'd not been good in these areas, we might not have won the game.

The team spirit and never say die attitude shone through at the end for us to win a closely fought game.

I thought the two lads from Hull put in plenty of effort and added something to the team.

Poor Liam Cunningham gets injured again! Let's hope it's not too serious.

Well done to Mrs Waterman for winning the half-time draw!!

A steady if not spectacular win. Well done to the lads on securing the points.

Pity about Cunningham limping off, but it didn't look serious. Other than that I thought we were very poor. Cookie had a very quiet game and didn't really take charge like usual. We played some dumb stuff not going for the drop goal earlier on imo. Also when we were on top we seemed to lack that spark or cutting edge needed to score and why on Earth did we keep insisting on sending kicks in the general vicinity of Jesse Joe Parker/Nyande? His positional play for them was spot on, he didn't fumble a thing and despite lacking a little pace had a very dangerous step on him.

Defense was a concern particularly on those left to right shifts in the second half. Also need to wrap up the ball better, with 3 and 4 in the tackle how is this not being done?

As has been said on the other thread we did enough to be out of sight but in the end barely scraped a win.

Still not at our best, Snitch , Colbon , Hadley & Cunningham impressed for me .
Dominated the 1st half but the score didn't reflect that. Haven got into the game & scored a nice with a kick thro.
We never gave up & got the points in the end & consolidated our top 4 position !

good hard fought win i thought.
Cannot believe Cunninghams luck with injuries and he was playing well.

So much for the info from the star that waterman was playing!
Was looking forward to seeing him return.

I'd add Welham to that list.

Snitch Kesik Hadley and colborn stood out for me. Not sure on wilkinson getting man of the match?

Photos - r82photography.photoshelter.com/ ... q.CnbDN4.I

Photos - r82photography.photoshelter.com/ ... q.CnbDN4.I

Well done a bit frantic at times but some good performances. Cunningham looks good hope not a serious injury as would like to see an extended run from him. Prob give MOM to Wilko for his try and assists and his enthusiasm. Would like to see lee back in the team as he said at half time he was declared fit just waiting to be picked!

Kez last 10 min stint won us that game...

Had a hand in 3 major incidents that stopped them getting a chance of return..

Surprised that we don't go 40/20 more especially as a ground I assume Cooke knows V Well.

The result was pretty much what I expected and overall had it not been the 20 mins in 2nd half where we lost way we looked the better side...

Bear in mind we crossed 3-4 more times that were disallowed and even LE thinks their first try was more than dubious...

Their first try should definitely have been disallowed. A blatent block preventing a tackle.

Can't see him being at Hull too much longer since they've already recruited 2 further half backs for next season (Leon Pryce & Marc Sneyd) and he was already behind the likes of Rankin, Horne and most recently Jordan Abdull in the pecking order.

Total agreement.
Was also said by quite a few round me on Sunday.

No Morrison.
Was he injured?

Don't know but personally I felt we missed his yards.

Any chance it could be uploaded to see it again?

At the moment, I don't have a copy of the match to do the highlights from. However, I will try to get this sorted during the week.

Cheers

AdamH
Strong-running second rower


Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:52 am
Posts: 329


onedon wrote:
No Morrison.
Was he injured?


Don't know but personally I felt we missed his yards.
Should nev have been in the centre ?? Does he make yards not sure on that,Donny have a speedster in Tom why don't they use this, poor kicks this week and not much idea.Good to get back to winning ways!

I enjoyed the Castle Park game, it made a change and the crowd kept at its 600 mark despite the upheaval.
Started in the Sportsman and then went on to sample Marston's Gold a few times at Castle Park.
Easy transport links.

As for the game, we won, but kept Whitehaven in the game with a combination of wasted chances and a bit of pox on their behalf. An obstruction and a poxy bounce following the chip kick gave them two of their tries, so I think the scoreline flattered them.

Wilko is coming along nicely and Cunningham looked good, apart from the injury per game average he is keeping up.
A workmanlike performance with little flair on show, apart from the foot-in-touch try we so nearly got.

We seem to have a ceiling at the moment in attack of around 22 points, which needs addressing, since we have to be really good in defence to win and certainly to deny the opposition at least a bonus point.

One day we will have a settled side ... one day .... with Waterman, Cunningham and settled forwards etc
Then we might just see some 50+ scores.
COYD

yes cause donny never get the bounce of the ball,or even a try short of the line but the ref ignoring his touch judge.Donny desrved the win...just .Haven defended well especailly first half .Think you could have walked it is kidding yourself

Duurrrr!!
I'm not saying we should have put 50 by your side.
22-8 would have been about right.
IMHO.
And yes, you did defend well.