Early odds (from Bet365) ...

Handicap Betting ...

Rochdale -6 10/11
Dons +6 10/11
Handicap draw 16/1

Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club face Rochdale Hornets this Sunday afternoon in the re-arranged league fixture at Spotland Stadium - the game has a 3pm kick-off. 

Tomorrow's Co-operative Championship One clash is the first of two successive meetings between Rochdale and Doncaster, who also face each other at the Keepmoat Stadium next Sunday (3pm kick-off).

Head coach Tony Miller has brought in Wakefield centre Danny Cowling on a dual registration to strengthen his back line but skipper Craig Robinson (knee) and Mike Emmett (knee) are both missing for the Dons, who are aiming for their fifth win in their first six league fixtures this year.

The influential Paul Cooke has had no reaction from his Achilles problem after last weekend's game at Gateshead and had an injection at training on Wednesday night.  

Miller said: "We've got Rochdale again next week at the Keepmoat so it's important we apply ourselves well on Sunday at their place.

"The Hornets will prove to be tough opposition and have a good record at Spotland so we'll need to be on the top of our game to get the victory.

"We've made a good start to the league season and I've been pleased with our attacking play but we need to maintain our form to stay at the right end of the table."

Gary Middlehurst (suspended) and Steve Roper are definitely ruled out for Rochdale, while Wayne English is struggling after suffering injuries to both ankles.

Hornets' head coach John Stankevitch has further doubts over Adam Bowman and Jonny Leather, whose partners are both due to give birth this week, but Dane Donoghue and Stephen Bannister will definitely feature.

Stankevitch said: "There's a three point gap between ourselves and the top four, but the table doesn't worry me as it looks right now.

"Doncaster have got some pretty good players. Lee Waterman is a proven try-scorer, Tom Hodson has scored some points and Paul Cooke is a good influence on what they're doing.

"However, we've got fantastic home form and if we win on Sunday it gives us a lot of momentum for the following week."

Any one heard if its on or not today with the rain weve had!

No, but apparently the weather is pretty much the same the other side of the pennines too

It shouldn't be played in this weather.

Just had a text off Jemmo and hes not heard anything either. The Hornets fans are asking the same question on there forum as well on the other side.

The match is on www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=8036

The match is on www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=8036

Quote ="boro hornet"The match is on www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=8036'" Cheers mate

Quote ="boro hornet"The match is on www.hornetsrugbyleague.co.uk/article.php?id=8036'" Cheers mate

The 6 points start has disappeared ...

Now 4 start with Bet365, Paddy Power & Hills and just 2 start with Ladbrokes & Skybet (all odds of 10/11).

Not a game to get heavily involved in though considering the conditions.

Sh/te weather is a great leveller.
So that at least gives Rochdale a chance.

At Rochdale now. Pitch looks OK bit blustery, but otherwise not much to worry about

Team looks something like ...

Butterfield
Hodson
Waterman
Cowling
Colton
Cooke
Fawcett
Castle
Kesik
O'Loughlin
Kelly
Lawton
Edwards

Sanderson
Ely
Powley
Welsh

13 mins 0-6
Try: Kelly
Goal: Hodson

10-0 Cooke

35 mins 0-16
Try: Kelly
Goal: Hodson

HT Rochdale 0 Dons 16

Forwards including Jack Ely as replacement prop dominant . Cooke scored & made the other 2.

COYD

sounds like a good performance so far ?

is Carl Hughes playing ?

Not yet about 4 weeks away . Emmett , Robinson & Cunningham also injured. Not sure about Hyde,Spurr & Spiers who are also missing today !

Team on previous page.

Some interesting omitions.

agreed. seems to be working so far though

Indeed.

Rochdale 6 Dons 16 48 mins