Doncaster RLFC 34-26 Doncaster RLFC

[Dons News]

Doncaster RLFC 34-26 Hunslet Hawks

Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster

Kingstone Press Championship

 

Dons: Carr, Scott, Doherty, Welham, Fox, McLocklan, Mennell, Groat, Kesik, Clark, Snitch, Musolino, Emmett.  Interchange: Spiers, Waller, Waterman, Wright.

Hawks: Watson, Agoro, Maun, Gee, Barnett, Kain, Mulhern, Lee, Haley, Casey, Walters, Mackay.  Interchange: Lyons, Flanagan, Yates, Trout.

 

Doncaster finally recorded a first victory in the Kingstone Press Championship in 2015 thanks to a fantastic second half comeback against Hunslet Hawks in a thriller at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Dons last competitive victory in all competitions came against Halifax in on the 31^st August 2014 and 11 months later under the guidance of head coach Gary Thornton that run has come to an end.

Thornton handed three debuts in the match, with new signings Ryan Wright and Joe McLocklan coming into the squad and Tom Carr finally made his first outing in a Dons shirt after a prolonged period missing through injury.  Prop forward Matt Groat also returned to the side after his three match suspension.

Doncaster went so close to breaking the deadlock inside 13 minutes, McLocklan’s low kick was just inches from the fingertips of Sam Doherty, however Richie Barnett gathered and almost went the length of the field but for a try saving tackle from Carr.

The Dons continued to press and got rewards when Liam Welham intercepted a lose ball, he was caught 30 metres out and a quick play the ball lead to the weaving Paul Mennell to be held up just before the whitewash.  They Dons took full advantage of the filed position, debutant McLocklan threw a superb dummy before sliding over to give Doncaster the lead and Dave Scott added the conversion.

Hunslet however hit back, Danny Maun was sent through a gap from close range down the right and powered his way over the try line despite the best efforts of the Dons defence.  Simon Brown however failed to add the conversion. 

The Hawks continued to press the Dons line and despite there looking to be crossing earlier in the tackle account, Hunslet took full advantage of their good field territory, spreading the ball wide and Jimmy Watson sent Matthew Gee over out wide, however only two points split the teams at the break as Brown again failed with the goal attempt. 

Half Time: Doncaster RLFC 6-8 Hunslet Hawks 

Hunslet came out of the blocks strongly and made a fine start to the second half, Maun sent Richie Barnett through a gap in the Dons defence who went the length of the field scoring under the posts, with Brown adding his first conversion of the day. 

Just two minutes later Gee went over for his second try, it was all too easy for the centre, weaving his way through the Dons defence down the right side with Brown adding the extras.

The Hawks then went over for their third try in less than ten minutes, Callum Casey was next to go over from close range after a good pass from Watson, with Brown adding the goal to give Hunslet a 26-6 lead. 

Despite the score-line, Doncaster were far from finished, Hunslet lost possession in their half and the Dons took full advantage, Paul Mennell’s fine grubber kick was met by Peter Fox in the left corner, reducing Hunslet’s lead to 16 points.

The Dons comeback was mounting when Mitch Clark went over, Matt Gee knocked on ten metres from his own line and Clark was on hand to pick up the loose ball taking advantage of the free-play situation to go over under the posts, with Scott adding the extras.

From Clark’s try it took less than a minute for Doncaster to score again, Liam Welham broke from his own half down the left flank and found Steve Snitch on the inside in support who went over under the posts, with Scott again successful with the conversion.

In the 68^th minute Hunslet’s  Jack Lee knocked on 15 metres from his own line to give Doncaster another opportunity and again the Dons took full advantage.  The super Mennell grubbered through, Watson knocked on in the in goal area and the ball popped back up for the scrum half who touched down for the try to level the scores.  However Dave Scott was unable to kick Doncaster into the lead, his conversion came out off the upright.

The missed conversion however didn’t prove to be costly, in the 72^nd minute, McLocklan fantastically wriggled out of a tackle to offloaded to Mitch Clark, he found the returning Groat who burst over from close range spinning his way over to get the ball grounded to spark mass scenes on the pitch and in the stands.  Scott’s conversion ensured Doncaster had a six point lead.

With three minutes remaining Doncaster were awarded a penalty under the posts, when Kyle Kesik was the victim of interference at the play the ball.  Doncaster’s Scott slotted the penalty goal to ensure the victory. 

As the full time hooter sounded there were joyous scenes across the Keepmoat Stadium with Thornton and his men finally ending their winless streak and 11 months of pain for Dons supporters.

Full Time: Doncaster RLFC 34-26 Hunslet Hawks

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