Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:14 pm  

Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club are back in action this Sunday afternoon and entertain top of the league Barrow Raiders at the Keepmoat Stadium. This mouth-watering clash has a 3:00pm kick-off and the game is to be dedicated to Autism Plus who are the club's chosen charity for 2012.

The Dons will be without leading point's scorer Tom Hodson who broke his thumb in his side's recent victory over South Wales Scorpions but are set to welcome back winger Dean Colton who has been on the sidelines for a number of weeks due to an Achilles injury.

Full back Michael Butterfield chances are rated at 50/50 due to a reoccurring swollen knee problem. 27 year-old Butterfield has been in excellent form of late and has notched a try in the Dons last four games (1-1-1-2).

There is, however, more positive news on the injury front as Dons head coach, Tony Miller, is hoping to have Craig Lawton, Grant Edwards and Danny Cowling back for the Workington Town game which takes place on Thursday 26th July at the Keepmoat Stadium (7.30pm kick-off).

The Dons will be looking to seek revenge on the Raiders who beat them 25-8 up in Cumbria back in March and Miller said: "This is a massive game for the club and we're really confident of getting a result from it.

"Barrow are a top side and there's no doubting that because they've only lost one game so far this season.

"But we're very confident of our own abilities, especially at home, and I'm sure we'll get something from the game."

Barrow have brought in experienced former coach Dean Marwood to help prepare them for their visit to Doncaster. Regular Raiders boss Phil Atkinson is on a pre-booked holiday so head coach Darren Holt has approached Marwood to help him and Paul Wilcock.

The table toppers squad is in healthy shape at the moment with Holt looking to be the only absentee as he struggles to shake off a niggling groin injury. Barrow have been the most consistent team of the season in Co-operative Championship One and a win would make them strong favourites for a top two finish.

However, Holt isn't getting carried away and said: "It's a big match and the one thing about Doncaster is that their ground will probably suit both teams.

"It's a very, very wide pitch. We like a wide pitch and they like a wide pitch and the lads who have been playing have been playing very well, which has been a big bonus."

The club are hoping to attract their highest attendance of the season for what promises to be a cracking game of rugby league. Another win for the Dons could prove to be a big step towards a return to the Championship but the Raiders will be a stern test for Miller's men.

Tickets are on sale now and you can save money by taking advantage of the club's early bird offer if you buy your ticket before game day on Sunday. Call the ticket office on 01302 762576 for more information.

Make sure you don't miss out - 'come on you Dons!'

[Wanderer]

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:38 am  

Bookies predicting a close game.

BetVictor, Skybet, Paddy Power & Hills make it a 'scratch' game (no handicap applied). Whilst Bet365 & Ladbrokes give the Dons a 2 point start.

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:25 pm  

Great game ,great result, thought missed kicks were going to come back and haunt us.Forwards all carried well,and all the team put in a good defensive effort, thought Mick Butterfield was a little off the pace to his normal game,but made some important catches and knee didn't seem to hamper him going forward. Good support from Barrow,made for a good size crowd. Good
day all round. Apart from injury of course

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:35 pm  

donny hkr wrote:

Great game ,great result, thought missed kicks were going to come back and haunt us.Forwards all carried well,and all the team put in a good defensive effort, thought Mick Butterfield was a little off the pace to his normal game,but made some important catches and knee didn't seem to hamper him going forward. Good support from Barrow,made for a good size crowd. Good
day all round

well done lads - what sort of crowd ?

what's all this about PC off to SL ?

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 4:41 pm  

Crowd was 997. As for Cooke, not heard that one

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:08 pm  

donny hkr wrote:

Great game ,great result, thought missed kicks were going to come back and haunt us.Forwards all carried well,and all the team put in a good defensive effort, thought Mick Butterfield was a little off the pace to his normal game,but made some important catches and knee didn't seem to hamper him going forward. Good support from Barrow,made for a good size crowd. Good
day all round. Apart from injury of course

fantastic game nip and tuck all the way but for our goal attempts and two howlers in defence barrow should not have had a sniff of a bonus point fawcett waterman and castle outstanding for me ,hope my mate,friend,chum,pal, mukka from barrow aint too dissapointed cos barrow are a very good team well done to both teams for a very entertaining game, who starts these silly rumours re paul cooke he has said he dont want super league football and he is content here i hope to see mr cooke at the keepmoat next season, having said that can we have a denial from the club please

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:22 pm  

Quite a few mistakes today , but a win against the league leaders , so we cannot complain. Thought Fawcett was man of the match today he is the most improved player this season.

Shame about Fran Welsh , we get players back then we pick up another serious looking injury.

Looking forward to the Workington game .

COYD

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:46 pm  

Thought they were just unfortunate bounces,but that's what can happen with a rugby ball

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:49 pm  

Great game and well played all in Blue and Gold. we beat a good side in Barrow who showed why they are top. Excellent travelling support and a some good crack with some of their fans. Like DHKR I thought the missed kicks would come back to haunt us. Some top performances on the pitch today from both sides, Barrows number 4 who was class, Dons 7 and 12 and Cookie who was everything you could expect from a class player, but that would be harsh on all the players who contributed to a classic game. What was impressive from our point of view was our line speed and tackling and it needed to be. Massive well done to all, and a big thanks to Tony Miller who was out of the blocks to lead the players applause of the fans at full time

Re: Dons vs Barrow 15/07/12 : Sun Jul 15, 2012 5:51 pm  

On the Dons facebook page Carl dismisses the Paul Cooke rumour.