6 and 7 for the Select stood out.

Both Marauders, 7 Was Ryan Rafferty the son of Roy, the 6 Was Mark Roach! Another son of an ex Dons player (Howard Roberts) was the 14 who went to stand-off (Shaum Roberts).

To be expected the amateurs gave the pro's a game for a good hour.

You're right, I thought all the Select side did themselves proud.
They made the Dons look nothing special for a long period.
But the Dons superior fitness and organisation proved better in the end.

One thing is for sure in my mind, if the Select played together as one side week in week out, then they would have given the Dons a much tighter game. They were effectively a scratch side which is always a disadvantage.
They did well.

agree with every word of that.

I WENT TO THE GAME ON SUNDAY AND REALLY ENJOYED IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT TURN OUT.

FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD THE TRNAING WAS VER HARD TO ORGANISE FOR THE SELCT SIDE THIS YEAR AND WHAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED NEXT YEAR IS THAT THE LOCAL TEAMS HAVE THE FIRST FEW WEEKENDS OFF AFTER XMASS AND THE BOYS CAN TRAIN ON A SATRUDAY TOGETHER.

FOR ME I THOUGH BOTH STARTING PROPS FOR THE SELECT SIDE WENT VERY WELL AS DID THE NUMBER 9 BUT MY STAND OUT PLAYER FOR THE SLECT SIDE WAS THE FULL BACK I THOUGH HE HAD AN EXCELLENT GAME.

I ALSO THINK THAT THE SECOND ROW FROM MOORENDS ALEX PALMER COULD HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR THE DONS AS HE COULD EASILY MAKE IT AT THAT LEVEL BY THE WAY HE WAS PLAYING.

OVERALL A GREAT DAY BUT YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE IF PAUL COOKE HAD BEEN PLAYING.

Think he has played for the Dons !

just echo what everyone else is saying enjoyed the day good game nice to see good turn I prefer that style of ground to the new sy stadiums but thats just the old tradionalist in me!

Well done to all the lads who played for the Donny Select Team. You stuck at it throughout and did yourselves proud.

It reminded me of the old days at Tattersfield. Pity there wasn't a publc address system. Even though we had a programme we didn't know who the players were.

Viewing the game from a lower level (not high in a stand) made me realise how much easier it is to see what should be done when we're in the Keepmoat stands. At ground level you get more of the players eye level view ... and the right decisions don't seem as obvious. The other point is that the forward passes aren't as easy to see ... so I might have a bit more sympathy for the "touchies" who miss them!

It was good to see so many turn out on quite an unpleasant afternoon. Dean deserves it ... but thanks again to everyone who went.

No chance of getting 2 or 3 weeks off after christmas next season, clubs are allowed to postpone 2 games in a season (The clubs used one for China's game) and it looks like Moorends could end up playing twice a week come April because the have had an half decent cup runs.

Message from China:

Dons winger Dean ‘China’ Colton would like to thank everyone who came to his testimonial game at Wheatley Hills RUFC on Sunday afternoon. The Dons beat a spirited Doncaster Amateur Select side 50-4 in front of an impressive 400 strong crowd.

“I didn’t think that many people would turn up to watch the game to be honest,” admitted Colton. “It was great to see so many old faces in the crowd and I’d like to thank all the fans who braved the cold and came out to show their support.

“I’d also like to thank the sponsors for the game, the kit manufacturers, the people who put the programme together, everyone who helped out on the gate, the raffle and the half-time draw and also a big thanks to the Dons for giving me this testimonial.”

Colton scored a brace of tries against a select team made up of players from Bentley Good Companions, Toll Bar and Moorends Marauders. It was the Dons final pre-season fixture before they start their National Rail Cup campaign at Gateshead on Sunday 12th February.

Colton’s testimonial committee are currently in the process of organising other special events for him and details of these will be announced once they have been finalised.

It was amazing how many people could fit into that little stand.
So a fair number of spectators were almost hidden, giving the impression of substantially fewer people at the game.
Very comfy it was too.