Result: Dons 24 Hull 42

What were everyone's thoughts on today?

I didn't see the injury at the end as someone walked in front of me but have just read it was Jordan Lane. I hope that the stretchers were a precaution and he has a speedy recovery.

Other than that I was happy with the performance and especially so with quite a few of them. I felt other than their 8 and 10 who looked unplayable and seemed on between them for most of the game we gave as good as we got and indeed never let the deficit get away from us after the 18-0 start.

Pauli Pauli looked eager for work imo and I think Alex Holdstock made the most post contact metres of any of our forwards somehow and didn't seem to tire despite taking run after run. Sutcliffe made some good runs and against non Super League opposition may well have scored a double. Knowles is just an absolute warrior on the pitch for us as well and we always look better with him on the pitch.

Craig Hall had some good touches and opened them up a couple of times and Luke Briscoe had some strong carries. Reece Lyne also looked strong and seemed a handful with ball in hand.

Of the trialists Thompson has some good size but felt Mafi made more metres. Would definitely keep Mafi permanently and be willing to see how Thompson goes against opposition on our level in the cup games tbh as it is hard to judge with so little time and against super league opposition.

I'm sure there are plenty of talking points or performances I've missed in this but just wanted to open the discussion up for us to talk about the game.

I agree with everything you've writeen, Adam. A good summary of the game. I didn't draw any conclusions on the trialists. I'd need to see them a few more times yet.

I liked the strategy with Pauli Pauli - playing him a little further out wide. It was a strategy we used to use with Tony Banham years ago. In fact, I believe Tony Banham was named as a centre a few times. As much as slick moves are exciting, there's nothing quite like seeing a prop scatter defenders!

No one disappointed yesterday - all the new guys looked good. Attack-wise, I thought we looked quite slick for our first run out. Defensively, it was tough at times with their 8 and 10 (Ese'Ese and Pele) rampaging down the middle coupled with the speed of their backs but after the first ten minutes we did well.

In fact, over the last 70 minutes, the scores were level at 24-24. It was Hull's start that took them away from us.

I believe Jordan Lane is okay, thankfully and was walking round the dressing room shortly after being stretchered off according to Tony Smith.

The acid test will come when we play the Eagles but so-far so-good in my view.

As people have said I am happy with that, 10 minutes in I was worried the whole day would be a waste of time but happily that wasn't the case.

Pauli showed what he can do very nicely, Matagi lived up to his word and Ran it straight. When we get up to speed with Lovoduas passing (he was ahead of us a few times) he will create a lot of openings. Sutcliffe deserved at least a try. But as said no one disappointed and all the new players showed what they'll bring.

Other things of note, Jason Tali look back to being Jason Tali. Cannonballing runs coming off his line was good to see. And kick of variety!!! I never thought I'd see the day. We got the back back twice from kick offs and a few others hit the ground.

Was very surprised to see Knowles at 13, not sure what's going to happen there come the season

Whilst it wasn't anywhere near poor i wasn't as impressed as i thought I'd be, it's important we don't don't focus too much on the 2nd half as hull's intensity definitely dropped and we was helped by quite a few 6 against and penalties, yes there was a few bright spots and obviously playing a super league team we wasn't expecting anything other than a good run out but like has been mentioned the game against the seagulls will be the acid test to see where we are. Listened to horne's interview after the game and i just don't rate the guy.