Fascinating Geoff. Glad you were there to see it. The hyperbole here is a bit much. Yes we lost. There are still positives and yes negatives. We have the making of a promotion winning side. Oh God. Life's too short for this.

As Alex Furgerson once said "I BLAME THE COLOUR OF THE SHIRTS''

I wasn't there I listened to the commentary on BBC Radio Cumbria you can catch up on the commentary on the Radio Cumbria web site listen again section

We looked good in the first half and seemed on top as the half progressed. I was hoping we could extend the lead by half-time as I thought that could be the game-breaker. We didn't but we scored first in the second half to make it 16-8. To then concede 24 points in the last 25 minutes was disappointing especially as Barrow scored one try when they were down to 12 men.

Big Barrow prop Duffy scored two tries from relatively short range and another try was a Kesik-style dummy and sneak over from dummy-half. We've got to do better in these situations.

We looked quite slick when we moved the ball about in attack. Both wingers did well driving the ball out of defence too. Bravo looked a useful customer when he came on. I can see him and Jason Tali teaming up well.

The problem is that you can't concede 32 points in a game and expect to win. I know the last try on the hooter was unfortunate but we need to tighten up the defence and manage the opposition 'big blokes' better.

Putting the result aside, there were some positives today but there is also plenty to work on.

Fair assessment DM

The comparison to Warrington (a team you may have worked out I see quite a bit of) is spot on. Two teams with playing rosters that most clubs in their respective competitions would envy, yet both continue to be much less than the sum of their parts. You do have to wonder why?

Thats because dons gave them the ball back on the first tackle, when we should have been going further in front.
some of these penalties were only 15-20 metres out as well.
in fact they went upfield from one to score and get back in the game just before H/T
when it should have been 18-2 instead of 12-8
not taking the chances they get!

How the hell did we lose that game , its beyond me
For twenty minutes Barrow were not at the races , devoid of ideas and calling for everything to try and win a relieving penalty to give their gassed out pack a break.

The game was ours, we had Barrow on the backfoot every time we moved the ball , but yet again silly penalties and indiscipline cost us the win.

Enter Duffy from the bench to sore two tries and put us to the sword.

RH will cop the flack for the defeat, but it is not him giving away the penalties.
We had the correct game plan ,it was just poorly executed.

I thought Boyle , Douglas and Pelltier carried the ball strongly, however we just seem to try to force passes that are not really on.
This in-turn always seems to be our downfall.
We go from one minute dominating the game and being in total control to then end up on the back foot and more often than not conceding soft tries.

I was happy with the performance over all and think we are a match for anyone at home , my concern is our mind set and our inability to play on poor playing surfaces.

A side in blue and gold might well have got a different result ....

I may have missed it but not heard why Chase was missing, no scandal I hope

in response to Mr Lards dog,,I struggle to see any positives with the way we snatched a defeat from the jaws of a victory yesterday, I know the coach does,nt give away all the needless penalties and poor decisions on the pitch but it is HIS job to sort it out. For the last 3 seasons or however long he has been our coach we have had exactly the same issues season after season, if you look at this group of players we have now this is possibly the best set weve had for a long time players who have played good rugby at a decent level,,, then they come to Donny and everything goes pear shaped.. the crowd yesterday was very good 900+,,, next week 300 at best Im not that bothered about seeing us hammer smaller clubs (no disrespect to w,wales) then get beat by better clubs,,, I dont want to see anyone lose their job,,,I want a team that is capable of beating the top teams not just the minnows.

On way to reduce penalties is to fine the persistent offenders

According to Radio Cumbria yesterday Rangi as got a back injury.

On the subject of penalties ...in the second half our number 12 got beat in midfield a Dons player got hands on the Barrow player allowing number 12 to get back and tackle and lie on and fiddle about during which time I was shouting get off.
Everyone knew what was gonna happen but our number 12 and from the penalty Barrow scored.
That number 12 is our captain, sort of sums it up for me.
We simply gave the game to Barrow. They played basic rugby with some shape.
We played like we were making it up as it went along.
We went continually right in the first half ...Rickett must have wondered if he had BO.
He never saw the ball neither did Tali much. This is the same Tali that scored 2 against Worky and got one in this game along with Rickett when it went left.
Why not favour Tali?

We came down the right late in the second and threw a forward pass one metre from the line, any normal pass would have done the job.
Bravo made a great break and threw a stinker to Rickett.
The desperation stuff at the end was pure slapstick comedy.
In American football, they run plays, one for each occasion, not always successful granted, but they all know what they are gonna try next, why don't the Dons know?
They may do, but sure doesn't look like it is planned.
So for me organisation is the problem holding us back, that comes from above as do orders to steer the ship during games.
Well we hit the rocks yesterday... in good conditions.

R Horne on the game www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk

R Horne on the game www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk