Dons learn tough lessons

Doncaster coach Richard Horne (pictured) has admitted his team were taught some stern lessons by amateur outfit Thornhill Trojans in their recent Challenge Cup tie.
The NCL team looked on course to shock the League 1 outfit before Watson Boas’ try in the final minutes saw Doncaster progress to the next round.
“It wasn’t our best performance against Thornhill, but sometimes the Challenge Cup brings games like that,” said Horne.
“They played with plenty of energy and we didn’t, and they executed some really good tries. I can’t take anything away from Thornhill, on performance alone they probably deserved the win, but in Rugby League the better team doesn’t always win.
“We hung in there and Watson came up with something special to put us through.
“We made 17 errors in the game and no matter who you are playing that’s not good enough. We know that if we have a similar stat again, we’re going to be on the other end of the result. We have to be better with ball in hand, but we didn’t have some of our ball players out there.
“Rangi Chase, Graeme Horne (both illness) and Matty Beharrell (knee) didn’t play, we have some influential players still to come back into the squad so that should help us improve there.”
Horne also confirmed that another triallist – Australian Jake McLoughlin – has impressed the club enough to earn a permanent contract.
“Jake has been great here,” added Horne.
“He still has some things to learn about the British game but he is adapting. He has shown some really good touches and plays hard. So I won’t be worried about putting him into the side if and when we need to.”