Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club make the long journey to South Wales this weekend and will be looking to consolidate their place in the top four of the Co-operative Championship One league table. Please note the earlier kick-off time of 2:00pm at the Gnoll.

The Dons returned to action last weekend with an emphatic 78-6 win over basement club Gateshead Thunder at the Keepmoat Stadium. It was the blue and gold's first outing in four weeks but they still ran in an impressive 14 tries and winger Tom Hodson booted 11 out of 14 conversions.

Dons leading try scorer Lee Waterman added four more tries to this season's tally and there were a brace of tries for both Jack Ely and Craig Fawcett. Nathan Powley, Mike Emmett, Mike Kelly, Mick Butterfield, Alex Rowe and Stuart Sanderson also crossed the whitewash as the Dons made it a hat-trick of victories over Thunder in 2012.

The players and coaching staff will travel to South Wales on Saturday and Dons head coach Tony Miller looks set to name an unchanged side. Craig Lawton (back), Dean Colton (Achilles) and Danny Cowling (finger) will definitely miss out and there will be a late fitness test on Paul Cooke (knee) who continues to recover from his epic marathon challenge.

Miller said: "We seemed a little rusty for the first 15 minutes or so last week but you've got to give credit to Gateshead who came out firing and certainly asked a few questions of us.

"I thought we played some outstanding rugby league at times and our execution was excellent. Our home form has been good all season and it was a very pleasing performance after having such a long break without a game.

"South Wales will be looking to bounce back after losing narrowly to London Skolars last weekend so I'm sure we'll be in for a tough afternoon in Neath and they'll be more than up for it.

"They've signed a few players since we played them at home back in April and Loz Wildbore is a player I've always admired.

"We'll go to South Wales in confident mood but we'll also give the Scorpions the respect they deserve and we'll hopefully come back to Doncaster with the three points."

South Wales Scorpions have been hit by the recent departure of three players from the club. Jamie Murphy and Lewis Reece are both taking short breaks before signing for Welsh rugby union clubs, while Phil Carleton has had to leave the club due to work commitments.

Scorpions' head coach Dave Clark said: "We wish them well. It's a bit disappointing, but that's the way it is. We've now got to have a look at recruiting and keeping our numbers up."

New signing Ben Gilbert looks set to make his second appearance for the club after impressing on debut last week in the 36-32 home defeat to London Skolars.

On Doncaster, Clark said: "They've recruited well and they're looking for a top four spot, which they're well in contention for.

"It's a big challenge for us, but we've competed well against Whitehaven and Barrow, so know we can compete against these top sides. We've just got to raise our standards from last week."

Admission at the Gnoll is just £12 for adults, £7 concessions, £3 for children aged 12 to 16 and free for those aged 11 and under. For more information please go to www.scorpionsrl.com.

Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club make the long journey to South Wales this weekend and will be looking to consolidate their place in the top four of the Co-operative Championship One league table. Please note the earlier kick-off time of 2:00pm at the Gnoll.

The Dons returned to action last weekend with an emphatic 78-6 win over basement club Gateshead Thunder at the Keepmoat Stadium. It was the blue and gold's first outing in four weeks but they still ran in an impressive 14 tries and winger Tom Hodson booted 11 out of 14 conversions.

Dons leading try scorer Lee Waterman added four more tries to this season's tally and there were a brace of tries for both Jack Ely and Craig Fawcett. Nathan Powley, Mike Emmett, Mike Kelly, Mick Butterfield, Alex Rowe and Stuart Sanderson also crossed the whitewash as the Dons made it a hat-trick of victories over Thunder in 2012.

The players and coaching staff will travel to South Wales on Saturday and Dons head coach Tony Miller looks set to name an unchanged side. Craig Lawton (back), Dean Colton (Achilles) and Danny Cowling (finger) will definitely miss out and there will be a late fitness test on Paul Cooke (knee) who continues to recover from his epic marathon challenge.

Miller said: "We seemed a little rusty for the first 15 minutes or so last week but you've got to give credit to Gateshead who came out firing and certainly asked a few questions of us.

"I thought we played some outstanding rugby league at times and our execution was excellent. Our home form has been good all season and it was a very pleasing performance after having such a long break without a game.

"South Wales will be looking to bounce back after losing narrowly to London Skolars last weekend so I'm sure we'll be in for a tough afternoon in Neath and they'll be more than up for it.

"They've signed a few players since we played them at home back in April and Loz Wildbore is a player I've always admired.

"We'll go to South Wales in confident mood but we'll also give the Scorpions the respect they deserve and we'll hopefully come back to Doncaster with the three points."

South Wales Scorpions have been hit by the recent departure of three players from the club. Jamie Murphy and Lewis Reece are both taking short breaks before signing for Welsh rugby union clubs, while Phil Carleton has had to leave the club due to work commitments.

Scorpions' head coach Dave Clark said: "We wish them well. It's a bit disappointing, but that's the way it is. We've now got to have a look at recruiting and keeping our numbers up."

New signing Ben Gilbert looks set to make his second appearance for the club after impressing on debut last week in the 36-32 home defeat to London Skolars.

On Doncaster, Clark said: "They've recruited well and they're looking for a top four spot, which they're well in contention for.

"It's a big challenge for us, but we've competed well against Whitehaven and Barrow, so know we can compete against these top sides. We've just got to raise our standards from last week."

Admission at the Gnoll is just £12 for adults, £7 concessions, £3 for children aged 12 to 16 and free for those aged 11 and under. For more information please go to www.scorpionsrl.com.