Totally agree, fantastic team performance, impressed by fitness levels this early in the season.Looking forward to some great competetive games this season. Well done to Tony looks like he has put a great squad of talented lads together. Stand out performances, no 1,6,9,13 Awesome try from youngster Howlett, if thats what the kid can do at 17yrs as well as the performances from some of the other young lads the future of the Dons looks great

hope it's not true but heard in the boozer after the match that it could be a broken ankle for brown(6).
not see or heard this to be confirmed so hope it was just ale talk.

Got to say that i was really impressed with the way the guys played today, and as stated before if we can play like that and hopefully improve as we get more game time, then the season will be a good one.

Well done to the coaching team and the boys who played today, thought Tommy Griffiths was outstanding today, but cannot fault all of the guys today, must also say thought the half back pairing looked good today.

See other thread - was originally thought to be a broken ankle. Just confirmed as ligament damage. Probably out for 3 to 4 weeks.

Big well done to all the lads today, an excellent performance. Nice to see players run onto the ball and not be afraid of giving it some air.

Bodes well for the season if the lads can put on such an entertaining game after only a few training sessions.

Lets hope everyone spreads the word and push the crowds over 500.

Number 32 could be a legend like Tony (The Ghost) Zelei.

Yes, an excellent performance from the lads today.
It wasn't the strongest Eagles line-up, but even so we made them look ordinary at times.
It's a shame really that we were disrupted by injuries because we looked set fair to win at 16-12.
I don't think that the Eagles were 'deserved winners'....we had bags more territory than them and they nicked it at the end...simple as that.
Thought that 1,6,7,13 shone and 32 when he came on.
Very promising indeed.
The last thing we wanted was to be blasted in a friendly and to kill off interest.
It didn't happen...it was an entertaining game and the club should be proud of that first outing.
COYD

Like others impressed by the effort and enthusiasm albeit against a reserve SEagles side, never the less you can only play what is in front of you.
Impressed with 1, 7, 15 & 32, less so with 6. His kicking game was fine but he fell off too many tackles for me, sorry about his injury.
It was nice to sit in the stand and listen to people being enthusiastic about our team rather the doom and gloom of last season. We should be able to consolidate quite nicely this season and be a contender next.

All I wanted to see from the game was:

* A solid defence
* A team playing for each other
* A glimmer of hope from half backs....

I am delighted to say that each box was ticked and then some...

Be it an Eagles B team - I dare say that we won't face too much stiffer competition on many weeks in the League...

Also thought some of the confidence on Charge Downs, First time takes and Quickpick ups showed a real fearless attitude at times.

Tony Miller was a very successful Academy coach and worked well with bringing on young talent at Cas, I dare say this is much nearer his comfort zone, especially as no ego in this squad..
Well done all team and staff.

just been on the other site to see what the seagull fans had to say.do they actually come from this planet.what a load of tripe.it really is fantasy rugby league that some of them watch.they had me wandering if i had been to the game,or if i had really dreamed i had been.

Just to set your mind at rest, yes the vast majority of Eagles fans do come from the same planet


I think both sets of fans will have had different expectations and therefore perceptions of yesterday's game. Personally I was hoping to see a near full strength Eagles side blow away the cobwebs (and the opposition) in preparation for a flying start to the season, However, what we got was a side with a good share of youngsters and trialists given the opportunity to stake their claim to regular place in, what appears to be, a strong Eagles (sorry Seagulls

) squad. I think that was the right decision and some of them rose to the occasion and made their mark. However it was clear that they didn't really gel for long periods and a Dons side, full of enthusiasm and no little skill, had us on the rack for long periods in the game. If I was a Dons fan I would have been proud of the way your lads played and a little disappointed not to win against a team lacking some cohesion but with an impressive set of forwards. I thought you played some good rugby and scored some good tries. Had it not been for some sterling defensive work by the Eagles you could have come away with the win. I think the last ten minutes and the re-introduction of some key players showed the difference in class and we came away with the win (much to the relief of many Eagles fans). Glad to see you not only have a team, but on yesterday's showing, one to be proud of

Good luck for the season. St G.

Random question, how are Doncaster operating this year?
Is it the amateurs you recruited from the end of last year or have you gone with a new playing squad totally?
Hope you keep your finances in check because the last few years haven't exactly gone to plan. Good luck

The 2010 playing squad has a couple of players who have been there for a few seasons (Craig Lawton / Shaun Leaf) plus 4 or 5 who played last season, then the remainder are new signings.

Agreed, financial stability is now a must for the Club after recent seasons.

Thanks for the good wishes.