Luke Briscoe says Dons aiming to build on 'benchmark' display as they return to Championship action
Former Super League winger Luke Briscoe says the Dons will be looking to build on their encouraging showing in the Challenge Cup when they return to Betfred Championship action on Sunday away to Batley Bulldogs.
“The performance against Castleford was a huge improvement on the game at Midlands Hurricanes, where we suffered a late 26-24 defeat,” said Briscoe.
“It was obviously disappointing not to win but to only lose 14-0 against a full-strength Super League side is still a massive credit to the boys.
“To be only 6-0 down at half-time gave our confidence a massive boost. Credit goes to our middles (forwards) for working hard. But really from 1 to 17 and the bench players who came on and made an impact, everyone played their part.
“I know some people were expecting us to suffer a heavy defeat (as happened to some other Championship sides playing Super League sides at the weekend) but we were quietly confident in the build-up that we’d give a good account of ourselves despite what had happened at Midlands.
“The fact that it was a Challenge Cup tie, and we were playing a Super League side, gave the game a bit of extra umph and I think we shocked them in the first 20 minutes or so with how we defended and how we attacked.
“Although we were behind at half-time we still felt that we were in the game and we still entertained hopes until the closing stages. We created a couple of good chances but credit to Cas for keeping us out.”
He added: “As I said, we’ve got to try and build on Saturday’s performance at Batley. It is likely to be a different sort of game what with the (sloping) pitch and the likely conditions.
“We’ve had some good results there (since we won promotion from League One) but they will count for nothing this weekend as they’ve got a different team and different personnel in charge.
“Whilst it was nice to have a run in the Challenge Cup, the league is our main priority and our focus is making the play-offs at the end of the season and making an impact.
“We’ve made some good signings this year, which has added to what was already a strong group, and we are confident of doing well.
“We’ve started the season off well. We beat Halifax (league) and Newcastle (cup), let ourselves down against Hurricanes and gave Cas a good game. That performance should be the benchmark going forward.”