Doncaster RLFC set for opening day Crusade to North Wales

Whereas the Dons needed a late try to see off their National Conference League Division One opponents the Wrexham-based side made sure there would be no repeat of their third-round defeat by amateurs Thatto Heath last season when routing Premier Division Rochdale Mayfield 64-6.

“It’s a tough place to go, not least because of the long journey over there,” said the former Toll Bar amateur.

“But we want to start our league campaign with a win and that’s what we’ll be looking to do and hopefully the fact that we should have some players back will help in that respect.

“We’ll be going there with a win under our belt, which was the main thing, and we’ve worked hard in training this week on doing the little things that can make a big difference in a game right and stop trying to over complicate things at times.”

Cross had more reason than most to take satisfaction from the club’s 24-20 win for it was his first game since breaking both bones in his leg as well as dislocating his ankle midway through last season.

“I’d been training with the lads for a good two to three weeks though obviously nothing compares to actually playing,” he said.

“I was out there a lot longer than expected with (hooker) Harry (Carter) going off but I felt okay so credit to the fitness team.”

Cross, who scored the club’s first try, also sung the praises of the Thornhill side who came within a couple of minutes of a famous victory.

“They played really well,” he said. “I remember when I was at Toll Bar we always raised our game when we were playing a bigger club and always wanted to play the best we could and Thornhill did that. They were game and enthusiastic and were excellent.

“I think that we lacked direction without Matty Beharrell and may have been a bit complacent. Thornhill gave us a kick up the backside and we’ll not repeat the same mistake.”