Rochdale Hornets 21 Doncaster RLFC 8: Dons take encouragement from defeat ahead of Super 8s

The Dons failed in their bid to become the first side to lower Rochdale Hornets' colours at Spotland - going down 21-8 on the final day of the regular League One season.
Jack WaltonJack Walton
Jack Walton

But despite being without a handful of regulars, they made second-placed Hornets battle all the way and will take encouragement ahead of the crucial Super 8s.

Hornets bossed the opening exchanges and the Dons, for whom winger David Foggin-Johnson produced a try-saving tackle on his opposite number, struggled to make much ground with ball in hand.

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Hornets deservedly took the lead on six minutes when hooker Ben Moores forced his way over from acting-half back near enough for stand-off Paul Crook to convert to make it 6-0.

The Dons levelled on 11 minutes, loose-forward George Milton sending prop Connor Scott over for his fourth try in two games.

Australian scrum-half Jordie Hedges, taking over the kicking duties from the injured Tom Carr, added the extras.

A torrential downpour made handling more difficult but Hornets continued to look dangerous on their left flank and there was a let-off for the Dons when scrum-half Danny Yates failed to take centre Lewis Galbraith’s inside pass 20 metres out.

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But it wasn’t all one-way traffic and Foggin-Johnson was within inches of a try after cutting in from the wing following a bout of good handling.

Centre Sam Doherty made a timely intervention as Hornets again threatened down their left flank.

The Dons, who had declined an earlier shot at goal from similar range, eased into a 8-6 lead on 34 minutes with a successful Hedges penalty.

Hornets spurned the chance to level from a kickable penalty in the pursuit of a second try and the ploy may well have paid off but for some tremendous goal-line defence.

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The Dons had given a good account of themselves in the first half and would have led by more had Hedges been successful with an angled injury-time penalty.

Hornets drew first blood after the restart, winger Corey Lee squeezing in at the corner for an unconverted try on 48 minutes to give his side a 10-8 lead. Foggin-Johnson was again equal to the task when Hornets tried a blindside move close to the line.

On another day the Dons may have gained some reward from a Kieran Cross grubber-kick following an excellent off-load by Jack Walton.

Aarron Jones-Bishop was bundled into touch just short of the line after good handling from a scrum.

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But they fell further behind when Yates raced in for a converted 58th minute try to make it 16-8 after latching on to a kick 25 metres out.

The momentum was with Hornets at that stage but the Dons remained in the frame until Hornets added a late try and drop goal.

Dons: M Welham, Foggin-Johnson , Doherty, Tali, Jones-Bishop; Sheriff, Hedges; Aizue,Wright, Scott, Walton, L Welham, Milton. Subs: Cross, Braham, Castle, Picketts-O’Donnell.