REPORT | Whitehaven RLFC 25-20 Dons

[Dons News]

Whitehaven RLFC 25–20 Doncaster RLFC

Sunday 25^th June 2017

Kingstone Press League One

The Recreation Ground

Attendance | 606

The Dons unbeaten run came to an end as they were narrowly beaten by high flying Whitehaven in Cumbria, in a game which sprung to life in the closing stages.

The visitors started the game strongly, with their first set of the game forcing Whitehaven back and eventually a Jack Miller kick through on the last tackle resulted in a goal-line dropout.

It was the home side though that put the first points on the board with 10 minutes gone, prop forward Tommy Holland collected the ball close to the line and made no mistake. Paul Crook added the two for 6-0.

The Dons defended well for the majority of the first half but fell further behind after being penalised for offside. Crook went for goal and added the two putting Whitehaven 8-0 up.

Whitehaven extended their lead just before the half hour mark when full-back Jordan Burns found space on the right edge to weave his way over. Crook kicked the conversion leaving the score-line at 14-0.

The Dons were back in the game soon after when Feka Paleaaesina’s brilliant run put them in a good position and the ball was worked out to the right where Louis Sheriff was on hand to score in the corner. Jack Miller’s superb touchline conversion reduced the deficit further to 14-6.

The home side were temporarily reduced to 12 men shortly before half-time. Centre Chris Taylor was sent to the sin-bin after he blocked off Tom Carr’s attempts to restart the game quickly.

HALF TIME | Whitehaven RLFC 14-6 Doncaster RLFC

The second half started off with strong defending from both sides, before Ste Roper kicked a drop goal to put Whitehaven further in front.

The Dons were left with a mountain to climb within minutes when the ball came free in the tackle and play was allowed to continue which meant Burns had the simple task of putting the ball down under the sticks for his second of the game. Crook kicked the two for 21-6.

Whitehaven continued to have the better of the play and were over again with 20 minutes to go. Powerful centre Jessie-Joe Parker raced clear down the left and just managed to ground the ball before going into touch.

The visitors then grabbed a try against the run of play, a knock on from Whitehaven allowed Connor Scott and Ryan Wright to combine before setting up Jack Logan to go over in the right-hand corner. Miller added the two for 25-12.

Logan was in again just three minutes later as he latched on to a flat pass from Reece Dean to force his way over the try-line.

The Dons had their third try in a matter of minutes when after penalty was awarded in their favour, Tom Carr raced through the line and supplied Sheriff in the corner who went over for his second.

Richard Horne’s side rallied towards the end as they looked to claim something from the game but were ultimately left frustrated.

FULL TIME | Whitehaven RLFC 25-20 Doncaster RLFC.

WHITEHAVEN XIII | Burns, Calvert, Parker, Taylor, Green, Roper, Crook, Shackley, Newton, Holland, Aiye, McAvoy, Tilley. Interchange: Forster, Holliday, Maudling, Worthington.

WHITEHAVEN TRIES | Holland (10), Burns (27 & 49), Parker (59) WHITEHAVEN GOALS | Crook (11, 24, 28, 50) WHITEHAVEN DROP GOAL | Roper (48)

DONS XIII | Carr, Sheriff, Logan, Tali, Barnett, Dean, Miller, Spiers, Kesik, Scott, Martin, Downs, Green. Interchange: Thackray, Paleaaesina, Muranka, Wright.

DONS TRIES | Sheriff (34 & 71), Logan (63 & 66) DONS GOALS | Miller (35, 63)

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