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Thornton Pleased With Oxford Win


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Doncaster Rugby League head coach Gary Thornton spoke to the official website following Sunday’s victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Dons recorded a 54-14 home victory against Oxford to climb to second in the Kingstone Press League 1 table.

Speaking about the game, Thornton was pleased his side were able to record a second successive victory.

“I’m pleased with a lot of elements of what we did, we were a bit sloppy at times and some of our execution wasn’t as good as it could have been, but I was pleased with the 40 point winning margin.

“We needed to get some points on the board and get some points difference up and that was one of our objectives heading into the game.

“I said before the game to the boys that it was a big day for the club off the field, so lets make it a big day for the club on the field and what better way to do that than scoring 54 points and getting the win.

“It was great to see so many ex-players here and so many fans enjoying the day, it was a great success on and off the field.

“There were also a lot of things going on with the Junior Takeover Day, it was really well managed and smooth, everyone knew where they needed to be and knew what they were doing and it was great for everyone involved.

“It was disappointing to clock off for ten minutes after racing into the lead, we were probably a bit disrespectful to the opposition if I’m honest.

“We gifted Oxford some field position and they made the most of it, there were a couple of really soft tries conceded down our right side which is concerning and we are going to have to get it right.

“We controlled most of the game pretty well, there were just some sloppy periods and we need to get out of that, we need to be more professional.

“Fair play to Oxford when they got their opportunity they took their chances and scored some good tries, sometimes though you have to respect the opposition a bit better.

“Our starts have been terrific and I am really pleased with them.

“We just seem to have this ten minute period where we clock off and allow teams back at us.

“We certainly can’t afford to do that against teams such as Toulouse, because they will take full advantage of it.

“I’m not sure if it is a mind-set thing, but we need to get better at that and we need to be more ruthless, when we have teams by the throat I think we need to squeeze harder and not let them off the hook.”

Liam Welham came off the bench to score a hat-trick for the Dons in the win and Thornton was full of praise for him.

“I thought Liam did very, very well,” said Thornton.

“I have been a little bit critical, at the game away at Hunslet he came up with a few errors and I left him out of the team because of that.

“But I have to say he has reacted really well and fitted into the second row spot which is a bit of a problem for us at the moment having lost Mike Kelly and Mason Tonks.

“Liam came in and filled that position and played really well.”

The Dons however continue to be plagued by injury, with Mike Kelly having to be withdrawn less than three minutes into the match and Thornton feels the week off has come at a good time for the side.

“Mike has had a repeat of his knee medial ligament injury, so he will be out for four-six weeks.

“It is mixed emotions with injuries, it was great to have Jordie Hedges back, but we seem to be picking up more injuries in every game, but that is the way it is.

“I think the week off has come at a good time, we’ve got a couple of bruised and battered bodies, so I think it will help us with a number of key players.

“We have done it tough, with three difficult away games and then here at home, so we have had a period where we will benefit from a few days off.

“We will train this week, have a long weekend and then pick things back up next week ready for Toulouse.”



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