Rugby League

[Jemmo]

We were all over them for 70 minutes but nearly cocked ot up again. 12-0 and all the posession but Batley got 2 quick tries to level it up. And while they pushed for a drop goal Dons went the length to score a winning try and see the game out 12-16. Absolute scenes!

We're a good solid group but we need to make more of our chances. Having said that, the conditions are vile at the moment

[Metalmicky]

I know this is the Rugby League thread, but I hope it's not inappropriate to mention the Doncaster Knights also, who took on Bedford Blues this weekend - who are in the top three of the English Championship - and beat them 50-12 at Castle Park...

[tommy toes]

Funny old carry on with the Knights, they beat Worcester, Bedford and Cornwall, but cant beat Cambridge who have lost all their other games, and lose to Chinnor, Caldy and the like.

[Jemmo]

Dons have drawn Salford at home in the first round of the 1895 Cup, having bypassed the need for playing in the preliminary rounds

[Jemmo]

Here is the moment that swung it yesterday, Batley lining up a kick that would essentially won them the game before the Dons go the length to score a winner of their own

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14FnGWJh27W/

[Metalmicky]

Another good win for the Knights - won 36 - 19 away to Chinnor on Friday night - who are a few places above us in the table...

[Jemmo]

Dons have a bye week this week and I am bored

[Jemmo]

Was some major interest for us today elsewhere. Buretta Faraimo played his first game in nearly a year as Dons send him on loan to Hunslet for the week, and he got 5 tries! I think it's fair to say he's proved his fitness

[Jemmo]

At home to Salford this Sunday at 3pm. Was hoping the drier weather was going to hold out til the end of the week but looks like that's not going to happen

[Jemmo]

It had felt like the Dons had a big win in them if they could link up better, and we got that today. Dons ran out winners 78-8 against Salford:

Here's the full game with commentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIRgfuKTP-o

[Jemmo]

 A resident statto has just pointed out Todays win is only the 5th ever Dons League victory against Salford, and the first for 62 years.
Also we scored more points in victory today, than we ever have combined in defeating them.

[Jemmo]

Here's the highlights of the game. Some excellent attacking rugbt from the Dons...and one massive rick!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqruIp0-CpY

[scawsby steve]

Jemmo, what the hell's happened to Salford? That was a team of young kids. Something's gone drastically wrong there.

However, the Dons can only beat what's in front of them, and that was some performance.

[Jemmo]

They've pretty much had to start again, they weren't sure they had a club until about 6 weeks before the season. They had been improving and picked up a win in their last game. They were unlucky the got us on a very good day and weren't at the races themselves.

We have them again next month in the cup

[Jemmo]

Our first ever game against Goole this weekend at The Eco Power Stadium.

The start of a new local derby made interesting by the amount of our promotion winning side that are now on their squad

[roversdude]

Guessing they’ve had some money thrown at them

[Jemmo]

When the applciations opened for a new team, and Goole was selected out of the 3 bidders I think the main reason was they had the best finance. They haven't spent silly money by any means, jusr every time we release some they seem to sign for Goole!

The mergers of the league probably came a bit early for them, they finished a couple from bottom their first year but were slowly becoming a mid table league one side and going in the right direction.

We should be favourites by about 20 points (I'd guess) but Goole have picked up the occasional good win, most noticably knocking Halifax out of the cup away from home

[Jemmo]

Shows what I know, bookies are giving Goole a 38 start, which seems a bit much to me.

Dons have gone very mobile in the pack again this week and left out a couple of the bigger forwards

[Jemmo]

Finished 32-16

Scrappy game for periods where we seemed always on top but then gifted them scores to keep it close. 3 tries in 10 minutes in the second half essentially did the job.

[Jemmo]

Tries from the game

https://youtu.be/2o_LSGJNMgc

[Donnywolf]

I'm baffled by the reorganisation.

Do Dons play Hunslet this Season at Eco pls ?

Seem to be in same League table but can't find fixtures that "match" the Table

[Jemmo]

 No we don’t play Hunslet

The system is a bit weird particularly to people who aren’t fully invested in the ins and outs. We only play 12 teams home and away (10 based on league rankings and 2 based on geography) even though we’re all in the same table.

It does mean some teams will end up higher or lower than their actual ability would merit. Newcastle for example finished bottom last year so have the easiest fixture list, but spent a lot close season. They’ll probably finish top 6 even though they’re not the 6th best side (IMO)

[Donnywolf]

Thanks for that Jemmo

My mate 2 doors away is from Hunslet originally and we said we would go when we played here

But neither he nor me could find what " the date" was but thanks to your explanation we now know and will have to shelve it for now .

I did think I would go to the game with Goole Vikings but again didnt pay proper attention and saw this morning Id missed that as well

Cheers again COYD