DONCASTER 56 BARROW RAIDERS 12
DAN FOWLER, Eco-Power Stadium, Sunday

DONCASTER booked their place in the Championship semi-finals with a routine victory over Barrow.

Having already dismantled the Raiders in the play-offs a fortnight ago, the Dons did the same once more with Edene Gebbie, Muizz Mustapha and the record-extending – for the first half at least – Connor Robinson starring for the South Yorkshire club.

Gebbie and Mustapha both notched twice for the hosts, Gebbie even bombing one in the process, while goal-kicker Robinson went 5/5 with the boot in the first half before his consecutive goals record ended in the second stanza.

Richard Horne’s side are now set for a semi-final clash with Newcastle Thunder, who finished the regular season in second spot behind London Broncos.

Doncaster broke the deadlock on four minutes, a high kick from Cory Aston taken in by Gebbie as he out-jumped Shane Toal before dotting down.

Gebbie had a hand in the next try soon after, stepping through the Raiders’ defence with the onrushing Jacob Jones on his shoulder, as he did the rest.

Barrow were having a torrid time trying to stay clear of the referee’s whistle, with seven penalties conceded by the end of the half, including two for backchat. 

Despite this, they were still in the contest until the final ten minutes of the first half, when Doncaster’s attack started to click as they registered a further three scores.

On the half-hour, Robinson the goal-kicker became try-scorer as he spotted a gap close to the line and had enough pace to touch down.

Tom Whitehead extended Doncaster’s advantage on 36 minutes, which is one that Barrow coach Paul Crarey won’t want to watch back as the forward burrowed his way to four points, despite several Raiders defenders nearby.

Gebbie completed his brace on the stroke of half-time with an acrobatic try in the corner. Robinson’s touchline conversion made it 58 consecutive goals, and that’s where his run of consecutive goals ended,  although surely it is a record that will stand for quite some time.

Dons had their foot on the throat of the Raiders with a 30-0 half-time scoreline and they showed no signs of letting up in the early stages of the second half.

A quick-fire double from James Glover set the tone for the hosts. The makeshift winger’s first came off the back of a barnstorming Tyla Hepi run before his second was gifted from a Barrow fumble on their own try-line. Robinson went 0/2 from the tee, with ironic boos from the home fans an entertaining touch.

The Barrow defence was looking threadbare, which was evident in their attempt to stop prop forward Suaia Matagi, who put on a step and was too strong. Barrow halfback Alex Bishop wasn’t best pleased with referee Matty Lynn, the man in the middle showing the yellow card for backchat.

Barrow broke their duck on the hour mark as Ryan King supported a break and touched down close to the sticks. Ryan Johnston converted.

Dons prop Mustapha helped himself to a late brace with the Raiders’ rearguard tiring, with those tries coming either side of an Ellis Robson effort for the Cumbrians.

GAMESTAR: Edene Gebbie’s had Barrow’s defence nervous every time he touched the ball.

GAMEBREAKER: Gebbie’s second try of the game on the stroke of half-time helped to put five scores between the sides.

MATCHFACTS

DONCASTER
1 Tom Holmes
18 Edene Gebbie
4 Reece Lyne
24 Watson Boas
23 James Glover
7 Connor Robinson
6 Cory Aston
8 Brad Knowles
19 Connor Jones
17 Muizz Mustapha
12 Alex Sutcliffe
22 Luis Johnson
14 Jacob Jones
Subs (all used)
9 Greg Burns
10 Suaia Matagi
21 Tyla Hepi
29 Tom Whitehead

Tries: Gebbie (4, 40), J Jones (11), Robinson (29), Whitehead (36), Glover (45, 49), Matagi (54), Mustapha (69, 79)
Goals: Robinson 7/9, Lyne 1/1

RAIDERS
5 Luke Broadbent
1 Luke Cresswell
4 Curtis Teare
3 Shane Toal
20 Dan Knott
17 Alex Bishop
7 Ryan Johnston
10 Joe Bullock
9 Josh Wood
33 Brad Singleton
11 Ellis Robson
12 Matty Costello
15 Ryan King
Subs (all used)
6 Brad Walker
19 Seth Woodend
21 Trent Ruddy
32 Harvey Makin

Tries: King (60), Robson (74)
Goals: Johnston 2/2
Sin bin: Bishop (54) – dissent

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 30-0; 34-0, 38-0, 44-0, 44-6, 50-6, 50-12, 56-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Doncaster: Edene Gebbie; Raiders: Ryan King

Penalty count: 11-4
Half-time: 30-0
Referee: Matty Lynn
Attendance: 629