REPORT: Dons 12-24 Skolars

[Dons News]

<p>Doncaster RLFC 12 London Skolars 24</p>

<p>Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster</p>

<p>iPro Sport Cup Quarter-Final</p>

<p>Attendance: 367</p>

<p> </p>

<p>The Dons crashed out of the iPro Sport cup with a disappointing quarter-final display against London Skolars at the Keepmoat Stadium.</p>

<p>Gary Thornton made seven changes to his squad following the defeat to York last week including handing a debut to new signing Jason Tali and a second debut for Mark Castle.</p>

<p>With defeats in their last two matches, the Dons were hoping to bounce back against the Skolars who they held a 100% record against and after just 30 seconds it looked like they would.</p>

<p>A huge hit forced the Skolars to knock on in their opening set allowing Liam Welham to score a magnificent solo try to put the Dons ahead.</p>

<p>However, any thoughts of a comfortable afternoon were soon extinguished when, after a period of sustained pressure, a testing cross-field kick from stand-out performer Mike Bishay was flapped at by Callum Lancaster allowing Sam Nash to mop up the loose ball and score for the visitors in the 12^th minute.</p>

<p>The Dons quickly responded through Mason Tonks, the forward showing some neat footwork to step inside the Skolars’ defence to touch down in the 21^st minute.</p>

<p>A scrappy period of play ensued and London found a way back with Bishay providing once again. His grubber kick deflected off the Dons defence and David Williams pounced on the loose ball under the sticks.</p>

<p>Just five minutes later Reece Dean gave away a penalty in front of the posts and Bishay duly converted to put the Skolars ahead for the first time in the match.</p>

<p>They nearly extended their lead a few minutes from half-time but the Dons managed to hold up Erjon Dollapi over the line.</p>

<p><strong>Half-time: Dons 12 London Skolars 14</strong></p>

<p>A scrappy start to the second half by the Dons was capitalised on by the Skolars in the 48^th minute.</p>

<p>A loose pass from the visitors found Tali's hands but the PNG international was immediately stripped of possession by powerful forward Eddie Mbarga who strolled over to increase London’s lead.</p>

<p>Bishay knocked over the conversion to put the visitors two scores ahead and the game stayed that way for the rest of half despite the efforts from the Dons.</p>

<p>Skolars defended astutely to prevent Doncaster from breaking their line while a number of injuries to either side in a bruising encounter prevented the play from flowing.</p>

<p>Despite effort from Makali Aizue and Ben Frankland, the Dons couldn’t cut out the vital chance to start a comeback and two minutes from time the visitors wrapped up the match.</p>

<p>A penalty took the Skolars close to the line and Mbarga barged over to book London’s place in the semi-final of the iPro Sport Cup.</p>

<p><strong>Full-time: Doncaster RLFC 12 London Skolars 24</strong></p>

<p> </p>

<p>DONS STARTING XIII: Dean, Sheriff, L.Welham, Tali, Lancaster, Tyson-Wilson, Hedges, Aizue, Frankland, Fash, Tonks, Kelly, Picketts-O'Donnell.</p>

<p>DONS INTERCHANGE: Cross, Walton, Castle, Vincent</p>

<p>London Skolars Starting XIII: Anthony, Nash, Small, Price, Paxton, Coleman, Bishay, Sykes, Druce, Everett, Williams, Lovell, Chester</p>

<p>London Skolars Interchange: Pointer, Dollapi, Mbarga, Grey</p>

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