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REPORT: Doncaster RLFC 18-26 Leeds Rhinos


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Doncaster 18–26 Leeds

Keepmoat Stadium

Pre-season friendly

Dons: Sheriff, M. Welham, Doherty, L. Welham, Foggin-Johnston, Carr, Hedges, Scott, Frankland, Braham, Harper, Foster, Milton. Interchange: Jones-Bishop, Cross, Aizue, Walton, Gilbey, Crowther, Nicholson, Cook, England, Vincent.

Rhinos: Golding, Brown, Brierley, Norfolk, Jones, Sanderson, Wray, S. Hallas, Brady, Sunderland, H. Hallas, Smith, Walters. Interchange: Whiteley, Waring, Oledzki, Mullally, Walker, McDermott.

Doncaster produced a battling performance against 2015 treble winners Leeds at the Keepmoat Stadium, but went down 26-18 to the Rhinos in what proved to be a strong test of the home side’s credentials ahead of the regular season getting underway in just two weeks time.

Gary Thornton had debutants Makali Aizue and Matt Nicholson to call upon from the interchange bench as the Rhinos handed a start to Josh Walters, the man who scored the match winning try in last year’s Grand Final against Wigan Warriors.

The Dons made some early pressure count as a strong run from Connor Scott led to hooker Ben Frankland finding the line  from dummy half, a successful kick from Tom Carr saw the lead stretched to 6-0.

The Rhinos suddenly clicked into gear and were starting to find their feet, Tommy Brierley looked destined for the try line before being forced into touch by some strong defence from the home side.

Thornton’s side then came inches away from a second try after a quarter of an hour, prop Zac Braham made a great run and was inches away as he lost the ball when diving for four points.

The champions levelled the scores after 20 minutes.  A knock on by Frankland gifted the Rhinos territory, before a silky run from Ashton Golding set Brierley away to go over under the posts, before Joe Sanderson converted.

Makali Aizue then entered the fray and announced his entrance in great style with a huge hit when defending his own try line, something which Dons fans will be hoping to see much more of in the coming weeks and months.

Former Huddersfield Giants forward Anthony Mullally put the away side in front after half an hour when his fend off led to him creating space to dive over and after some hesitation the referee gave the try, Sanderson’s kick was successful leaving giving the Rhinos a 12-6 advantage.

Leeds came close to extending their lead just before the break after gaining some strong field position, but were unable to capitalise and with only six points between the sides at the halfway stage, the Dons could consider themselves very much still in the game.

Half Time: Dons 6-12 Rhinos 

The Dons started the second half in the perfect manner as a line break from the influential Aizue allowed him to run free and an offload to Kieran Cross saw the latter go over within the first 60 seconds of the restart. A simple conversion by Carr levelled the score at 12-12.

Doncaster piled on the pressure as they attempted to go in front and had several near misses before giving away a penalty which allowed Leeds to re-group and launch an attack of their own.

The visitors regained their lead when scrum half Jack Wray side-stepped a number of Dons defenders to touch down, taking advantage of two needless penalties given away by the home side. Sanderson kicked the extras with the score now 18-12 to the Rhinos.

Doncaster levelled once more with 12 minutes left on the clock when a handling error in defence for the away side let full back Louis Sheriff slide in under the posts to set up an enthralling last 10 minutes, with Jordie Hedges adding the conversion.

In an end to end affair, Leeds took the lead once more as they were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, they chose to go for the two and Wray did the business. 18-20.

The Dons were unable to find a way back into the game and the Rhinos lead was extended right on the final hooter as it was two against one going forward and Mullally offloaded to Jack Walker who sealed the win and Wray finished the game being successful with the boot.

Full Time: Dons 18-26 Rhinos.

Dons tries: Frankland, Cross, Sheriff

Conversions: Carr x2, Hedges x1. .

Rhinos tries: Brierley, Mullally, Wray.

Conversions: Sanderson x3, Wray x1

Penalty goals: Wray x1. 



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