Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club play their second home game in successive weeks and entertain Oldham Roughyeds this Sunday at the Keepmoat Stadium (3pm kick-off).

Dons duo Grant Edwards and Dean Colton (both knee) look destined to miss this Co-operative Championship One fixture after picking up knocks against Rochdale last weekend.

Edwards injury is much more serious but a scan has revealed no tear in his cruciate ligament. However, the full extent of the injury is unclear at this stage and the loose forward will be out of action for at least 3 months.

But the league leaders, who have just secured back-to-back wins over fellow title-chasers Rochdale, look set to be boosted by the return of skipper Craig Robinson and Mike Kelly whilst Dean Colton could be back for the Dons trip to Workington next week.

Head coach Tony Miller said: "We seem to be suffering with the injuries at the moment but that's the nature of the game, however, it's good to see Robbo (Craig Robinson) back for us.

"Oldham will be hurting after their defeat against North Wales last week and will come to Doncaster looking to get back to winning ways.

"We're more than aware of their threat and once again we will need to be at our best to secure the victory.

"Oldham are another team who will be competing for promotion come the end of the season so we'll be in for another tough afternoon."

Oldham will give late fitness tests to Jason Boults (wrist), Chris Clarke (shoulder), Mark McCully (knee), Paul Smith (hamstring) and Alex Thompson (groin).

But Luke Stenchion is definitely out after suffering a broken hand during the warm-up to last week's match with North Wales.

Oldham suffered a surprise 36-32 against North Wales last week and head coach Tony Benson said: "It's important we get back on track at Doncaster. We've had a pretty serious get-together this week, and it's important we push on from that."

On the Dons, he added: "They're a good team across the park, with some strong dual-registration players and Paul Cooke complementing what they've already got."

Toll Bar under 16s will be holding a bucket collection at the game and are looking to raise funds for the Steve Prescott Foundation. The lads will be walking 40 miles across the North Yorkshire Moors in a few weeks time so please support them if you can.

Match day prices are: adults - £12, concessions - £10, juniors (5-16) - £2.00 and under 5's are free of charge.

The club are hoping for a big turn-out at the game as the Dons look to consolidate their place at the top of the table. Make sure you don't miss out on another afternoon of top class rugby league.

Come on you Dons!

+ the dons are 11/4 to win the league this season barrow fav at 5/2 (BET 365)

Could change in the next 8 days with Worky v Barrow Tomorrow and our game at Worky next week.

It's a decent day for rugby.
There is a bit of a breeze, but that will be nice for the players.
COYD

PS I think we should target Holroyd in attack.
The old lad is not what he once was.
Pot calling the kettle and all that.

What weak left side defence. They battered it in the first half and got nowt. Changed completely in second half.well done boys all 17 played like heroes. Bring on the worky. Hope the Sun is out .coyd

Excellent win, every player played their part. differed slightly on man of the match, i had it down as Paul Cooke, but all of them deserve a huge amount of credit for changing the game after the first half arm wrestle

Another win , thought Emmett had a good game today. The sin binning came at a crucial time & we took advantage . Cookie threw out some good passes which resulted in tries.

A very entertaining game and a good result.
A couple of points ...
The crowd was 653. How pants is that for a team top of the table vs a top team like Oldham?

Hodson ... get some catching practice in.

We were great in the forwards and the forwards scored tries unlike Oldham who probably fancied themselves with their pack.

I thought a forward should have got MOTM. Waterman played well and made a few good breaks, but I thought he got the sympathy MOTM for actually making some tackles.


I'm only kidding Lee, you were great.

L for Lancashire L for lying on.
The Elephant Man needs to go to Specsavers or learn to count what is an acceptable number of seconds for holding down.
it really did gall me when in the second half he penalised one of our players for getting up with his hands on the opposing player's back, when in fact our player was up very quickly and Oldham's players were having a cup of tea at nearly every tackle.

Oh and another thing, that attack on Waterman's left knee was a disgrace, and to my mind a deliberate attempt to badly injure him.

Anyway this all pales into insignificance compared to what happened to Fergie today.

Fran welsh , Kyle kesik , Paul Cooke were the outstanding players for me , kesik wanted to win the game on his own 3 consecutive tackles outstanding, cooke made tries we should not be seeing in this league, welsh pure strength and determination , all the others were just brill, agree about the "tackle" on Lee was deliberate intent to injure , a great performance against the best team to visit us so far

i think events elsewhere was a mitigating circumstance to todays atttendance. and now that the season is over and some floaters may well come, there isnt a home game im ages, thanks to the shambolic fixture list

I thought there was more people ther today than last week i wud of guessed at least 800. Another exciting game well done dons. Cant wait for next week

The Barrow v Workie game managed to attract 1808 despite a full premiership football fixture list and challenge cup games on the tele.