Doncaster RLFC half-back Connor Robinson sets a new national record in big 72-0 win over Barrow Raiders

Doncaster RLFC half-back Connor Robinson set a new national record for kicking consecutive goals during the club’s outstanding 72-0 win over sixth-placed Barrow Raiders in the first round of the Betfred Championship play-offs at the Club Doncaster Sports Village.

Robinson started the game on 40 goals, needing one to equal the record, held by four players, and two to beat it.

Not only did he beat the record he ended the game having extended it to 52 after converting all 12 tries during a surprisingly one-sided match.

With the Raiders having beaten the Dons in DN4 back in late May, albeit there were extenuating circumstances, and coming within two minutes of completing the double up in Cumbria last month, a close game had been predicted by both camps.

But once the Dons got into their stride after a nervous start, they ran away with the game scoring a dozen tries - several of which were spectacular long-range efforts - and the result was a foregone conclusion at the break with the shell-shocked Raiders trailing 30-0.

To a man, everyone in the squad played their part in a performance which will arguably go down as the club’s best of the season. But special mention has to go to Robinson, who in addition to his record-breaking exploits, created two tries and scored one himself.

Winger Edene Gebbie was another outstanding performer. Raiders had no answer to his pace and powerful running and he had a hand in a number of long-range tries.

Fellow PNG international Watson Boas justified his selection ahead of James Glover with some strong breaks. Fellow centre Reece Lyne, who announced his retirement at the end of the season along with winger Luke Briscoe in midweek, also showed how much he’ll be missed next season with some strong running.

The pack dominated their opponents in a manner rarely seen in games between the two sides over the years and claimed four of the tries.

Skipper Cory Aston kicked off the scoring spree after latching on to a lost ball close to the line after an even opening period.

Gebbie then broke strongly and linked with full-back Tom Holmes, who made a solid return after several weeks on the sidelines, and Boas, who raced away and touched down near enough for Robinson to break the record.

Holmes forced his way over out wide with Robinson’s touchline conversion giving his side an 18-0 lead at the start of the second quarter.

Robinson kept the scoreboard ticking over when sending second-rower Alex Sutcliife over from close range on 33 minutes for the first of his two tries.

Boas bagged his second just before the break after Barrow had failed to clear the danger from Sutcliffe’s neat grubber.

Raiders made a lively start to the second half but the try they needed to kickstart any potential revival eluded them and they fell further behind on 46 minutes when Tyla Hepi sent veteran Bureta Faraimo over from close range for a sixth converted try.

Further tries followed in quick succession with lively hooker Isaac Misky and Hull KR loanee Tom Whitehead both bagging a brace as the Dons raced into a 66-0 lead.

Raiders never stopped trying and managed to create several good chances in the last ten minutes or so. But, as in the first half on a couple of occasions, their handling let them down.

Robinson put the seal on a day he’ll long remember when touching down for the last converted try following more strong running by the crowd-pleasing Gebbie who must rank as one of the best wingers ever to play for the club.

Match Facts

Performance: 9.5/10

Entertainment: 9/10

Dons: Holmes, Faraimo, Lyne, Boas, Gebbie, Aston, Robinson, Knowles, C. Jones, Matagi, Sutcliffe, Johnson, J. Jones. Subs: Mustapha, Misky, Hepi, Whitehead.