Doncaster RLFC 6-13 Featherstone Rovers

[Dons News]

Doncaster RLFC 6-13 Featherstone Rovers

Keepmoat Stadium.

Sunday 22^nd February 2015

 

Dons: Scott, Doherty, Michaels (DR), Cowling, Sanderson, Cooke, Rankin (DR), Carbutt, Cunningham (DR), Paleaaesina (DR), Snitch, Dunn, Emmett.

Dons Interchange: Spiers, Clark, Waterman, Howarth (DR).

Rovers: Hitchcock, Sharp, Chappell, Cording, Blackmore, Sykes, Irwin, Baldwinson, Ellis, Wood, Foster, Ryan (DR), Lockwood.

Rovers Interchange: Spears, James, Bostock, Marginet.

 

Featherstone Rovers produced a second half comeback to deny Doncaster their first win of the season in a tight affair at the Keepmoat Stadium.

After previous starts in pre-season and last weekend against London, Paul Cooke had stressed his side must improve and got off to the game in the perfect manner, with the Dons player coach putting a great grubber kick through which Danny Cowling slid on to, scoring his first try since his return to the club.

Stewart Sanderson was unable to convert the conversion, his effort on target dipped just under the crossbar.

Jordan Rankin on dual registration from Hull FC caused Rovers problems throughout the first half with his excellent kicking game, with the wind in the Dons favour his kicks kept Featherstone penned in their own half.

Seven minutes from the break, Featherstone pressured the Dons line, however the kick aimed for Ben Blackmore went just dead, in what proved to be the last chance of a very tactical first period.

Half Time: Doncaster RLFC 4-0 Featherstone Rovers. 

After the restart Featherstone hit back, Paul Sykes’ neat grubber was met by Nathan Chappell who went over in the left corner to level the scores.

Sykes stepped up to take the conversion to give Rovers the lead, however his effort dipped just wide of the left upright. 

Featherstone kept up their pressure and were awarded a penalty eight minutes into the second half, as Doncaster were penalised for offside.  Sykes this time made no mistake with the boot, to give Rovers a 6-4 lead. 

Doncaster hit back though, after applying pressure on the Featherstone line, the Dons were awarded a penalty of their own, which Sanderson kicked to level the scores.

As the Dons once again found themselves in Featherstone territory, Cooke attempted a drop goal to give Doncaster the lead once again, but was unable to find the target with his effort.

Cooke who was a threat all through the game then made a break and had Rankin in support, but knocked on his pass, with space looming ahead.

Just two minutes later Featherstone took full advantage, Matt Ryan made a great run on the inside to fool the Doncaster defence and barge his way over, with Sykes adding the extra two points.

A late drop goal from Paul Sykes made sure of the victory and leave Cooke’s side desperately disappointed after coming so close for a second week in succession.

Full Time: Doncaster RLFC 6-13 Featherstone Rovers.

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