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Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club will be hoping to shake off the disappointment of last weekend's play-off defeat against Barrow and will look to see off the threat of Workington Town when the two sides meet on Sunday afternoon at the Keepmoat Stadium (3pm kick-off).

The winners of this play-off eliminator will go through to the Co-operative Championship One grand final and will play Barrow on Sunday 30th September at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium (2:00pm kick-off).

The league winner's will have to do it without the services of talisman Paul Cooke who suffered a broken kneecap in the very first minute against Barrow last week. Cooke, a nominee for the Co-operative Championship One Player of the Year award, will be out of action for around 12 weeks.

However, forward Craig Lawton returns from a one match suspension and head coach Tony Miller looks set to recall winger Tom Hodson who has missed the latter part of the season after breaking a thumb.

Full back Mick Butterfield, who has been out of action since breaking his hand against Barrow back in July, is also included in Miller's 18 man squad.

Miller said: "We're obviously disappointed to have lost Cookie for the rest of the season but it gives another member of the squad an opportunity to step up to the plate.

"We certainly missed him last time out and the lads are desperate to make the grand final to have another shot at Barrow after last weekend's narrow defeat.

"Workington had a great win against Whitehaven last week so they'll be full of confidence and will want to make it a Cumbria derby next Sunday at Warrington.

"We will need to be at our best to get the win but if we defend like we did against Barrow and be more clinical in attack then there's no reason why we won't make the grand final."

Dan Rooney and Graeme Mattinson remain side-lined for Workington Town, who must also cope without Andrew Morris for the rest of the season after he was given a two-match suspension for a dangerous throw against Whitehaven last weekend.

Town head coach Gary Charlton said: "The players want to do it for themselves and a there's a bit of wanting to do it for Andy too. We'll bundle it all up and that it into Sunday's game.

"It's going to be tough and hard, but if we defend like we did against Whitehaven there's no reason we can't win.

"The intensity in our defence was excellent. We were winning the collisions and driving them back, and it was the best we've been this year.

"We know we can score tries. If we can get our defence right then we're in with a real shout."

Match day prices for Sunday's game are just £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, £2 for juniors (5-16) and under 5's are free. Tickets are available at the Keepmoat Stadium ticket office - please call 01302 762576 for more information.

It promises to be a thrilling afternoon of top quality Rugby League so make sure you come down to the Keepmoat and cheer on the Dons to the grand final. Miss it, miss out...

‘Come on you Dons!'

Wonder what the attendance will be like tomorrow?
Don't think Worky will bring as many as Barrow did.


Main thing is we get as many dons fans as possible and we make plenty of noise.

Heard mention yesterday that Workington have at least 4 buses coming down..

I think you'll find there will be plenty of us down there. Fancy dress so you should be able to see which we are. See you all tomorrow.

Well don't leave it until the last minute to get your ticket or you will miss the start.
Last week there was a queue.

Remember it well

Handicap Betting ...

Bookies all in agreement ... Workington get a 2 point start, both teams 10/11 (Handicap Draw 16/1).

Match Betting ...

Doncaster 8/11, Workington 11/10 (Ladbrokes 6/5), The Draw ranges from 16/1 to 20/1.

Good luck today folks, would be great to have both S Yorks teams in Warrington next week, if only to show up how ridiculous the RFL's decision not to give us a world cup game was!

14-0 ten mins in to the second half; tries by Spurr, Sanderson and Fawcett

come on, the blue an' gold champions !

20-0 a couple of minutes to go - nate powley with the try