Well, after all the practise, this is a real game with real consequences.
If we are serious about our prospects only a win will do.
OK the Crusaders are the holders and are a decent side.
They have done OK in their friendlies, but did not excel last time out, but neither did we.

They have come here in the past and made us look silly and of course made us look silly last season.
So we owe them.

We have got to win simples as .....
I ain't gonna buy excuses , every club has injury problems.

Honest predictions?
COYD

I'm going to plump for 24-16 to us. It'll might be a bit like the Leeds game early on but I have a feeling we might just sneak it.

It is a big game for us because it will set the tone for the rest of the season, or for the next few games at least. If we get thumped, we'll be back down to earth with a bump, if we win well, we'll be dreaming of what might be for the rest of the season.

Looking forward to it!

Whilst I don't think it's a must win game, I think it will give us more of an idea about our squad and how we will go, much more than any friendly will. For what it's worth I think we will win.

I honestly believe that after the first 15 minute arm wrestle we'll run a mock and win comfortable

Hull veteran centre Kirk Yeaman and young star Jordan Abdul 6 or 13 set to play for you this weekend on D/R

is there a cash gate on sunday?

There will be cash gates all season

Dons -10 generally on the handicap betting.

Dons 35 NWC 28.
We're gonna win the cup!
More later.

A win is a win in any cup game, but there is a lot for Garry and his coaches to work on. Not least is getting up in the opposition faces when they have the ball, we hung back far too much and allowed them to make all the playing. Also discipline, discipline, discipline; gave away far too much field position through silly penalties.
I guess some will have a go at the referee, but IMHO I didn't think he had too bad a game, he made less mistakes than we missed tackles.
Hope Liam W is OK, he seemed to be carrying a shoulder knock for a large chunk of the game.
I will let others comment on the merits of the DR players, but it was good to see Abdul back at the Keepmoat.

For me, we only won that game thanks to the Hull players.
Penalties conceded are killing us!
Sort it Thornton.

Home v London Skolars in the next round.

We played badly and won.

Were N Wales a fair side? I thought they played quite well. Did they play well because they are a fair side, or did they play well because we let them? Not sure. Only time will tell.

Agree with GrahamD, our discipline was terrible. We should never be giving penalties away for backchat or for late tackles on kickers.

In defence, our left side looked very fragile especially in the first half. In attack, we were taking the ball standing still far too often.

Our defensive line speed was awful at times. We gave N Wales far too much time and room. In contrast, they put us under a lot more pressure.

I'm getting seriously worried about our kicking deficiencies. We need a goal-kicker badly. Our kicks to touch weren't good enough. We even tapped the ball without kicking to touch when we got some penalties which really defies belief. I know it was a difficult day for kicking but even so we saw similar issues in the friendlies. If we don't sort it, it'll cost us.

There were some positives. The forwards looked strong. Brad Foster and Mason Tonks worked hard. Liam Welham put in a good stint as always and Louis Sheriff gave 100% in everything he did.

The Hull lads did give us a helping hand and we may not have been good enough without them. There's plenty to work on.

On balance, I suppose I came away from the game slightly disappointed but it is still early days and the lads probably need more time to get to know each other.

The attendance was disappointing too. Was it 530?

Did we attend different games? Because I thought both welhams played absolutely dreadful!

How did Abdull, Yeaman and Feka do?