Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club are back on the road this weekend after three successive home games and travel to Batley Bulldogs at the Mount Pleasant Stadium (Please note earlier kick-off time of 2:00pm).

The Dons secured a much needed 30-26 win over Hunslet last weekend which has buoyed the blue and gold's as they look to climb the Kingstone Press Championship table. Tony Miller has eight games left as the Dons head coach and will be determined to make the top eight come September.

Paul Cooke, Kyle Kesik and Dennis Tuffour all made successful returns to action last weekend and are available for selection. Prop Brett Waller is available once again after missing out last week and back rower Mike Kelly also makes a welcome return from injury.

Wakefield's Danny Cowling and last week's man of the match Liam Kay are included in Miller's squad but Kyle Trout was recalled by the Wildcats and made a starting appearance against Leeds on Friday night.

Miller said: "We showed a lot of character to come back and we probably just deserved to win it against Hunslet last week.

"We got there in the end and more importantly, we got the three points that we needed.

"Looking ahead to Sunday's game, Batley will be smarting after their defeat last week so we're expecting a bit of a backlash as they'll want to make amends.

"They're a strong side and have some match winners in their ranks but we'll take heart from our narrow defeat back in March when we were level pegging until they snatched it in the last minute."

Batley Bulldogs head coach John Kear has promised a marked improvement in his side's defence after last week's 36-30 defeat against Whitehaven. The Bulldogs conceded six tries against the Cumbrians to leave Kear frustrated.

Kear said: "Our intensity dropped and we became loose and casual.

"Our defence wasn't good enough and that's something I'm annoyed about. (This week) they'll get back to defending how Batley can defend."

Kear is now hoping for more consistency from his entire team after a patchy performance against Whitehaven and added: "Dan Fleming was absolutely immense and caused problems every time he had the ball, but we had some who had absolute stinkers."

Last Five Meetings

10th March 2013: Batley Bulldogs win 24-18 at Keepmoat Stadium
19th July 2009: Batley Bulldogs win 56-12 at Mount Pleasant
21st June 2009: Batley Bulldogs win 70-6 at Keepmoat Stadium
12th August 2007: Batley Bulldogs win 26-12 at Mount Pleasant
3rd June 2007: Batley Bulldogs win 48-14 at Keepmoat Stadium

Match Day Admission

Adults £15, concessions £10, juniors £3

Referee

R Laughton

Who gives a toss about Batley.
And how the hell should they be so much better than the Dons?
A win for Batley.

Why no mention of Craig Fawcett is he injured or out of favour?

Exactly.
Out of favour I would guess.

Team

Butterfield

Tuffour
Dawson
Cowling
Sanderson

Kay
Cooke

Castle
Emmett
Carbutt

Spurr
Kelly

Edwards

reps
Waterman
Kesik
Waller
Spiers

Kicking up t' hill Half time Batley 6 v Doncaster 20.

I've never subscribed to playing down the hill being an advantage

COYD, prove me wrong ... again!

I agree Jemmo.

Well, hoped for more and got it, terrific result. Well done Dons.

Yes! Batley 12 v Doncaster 26.
What a good result .

That win at Batley gives me more pleasure than any other. Well done to all concerned.

Had a feeling this morning given the cooler conditions and Cooky last week having a 'strange'game that we may just get something out of this match. Been a good weekend together with the result at Fax yesterday

John Sheridan said it was better to kick uphill first half

Didn't see that coming. Pretty much like the rest of this topsy-turvy season.

Kerr will be incandescent.
Today they were going to be defensive warriors apparently according to him.

Batley fans not too happy , but do give Cooke & Dons some credit .
Upto 9th in the league with 2 home games to follow .

Great win again
well done all
i hoped we might have a chance but didnt really expect it!

Nearly went, but decided to watch England crush the Spozzies, thinking we would get duffed up.
Silly me!

Right where do I start after that fantastic team display.

first half was just unbelievable goin up the hill too both in attack and defence. Cookie oozed class all day, pinning them back with his kicking, numerous goal line drop outs 2 of which led to our tries. Strange thing to say but I thought the officals had a great game constant communication between them especially the touch judge who awarded the try to Cowling. Liam Kay, Danny Cowling and Matty Dawson are players who IMO we should try and sign permanently for next season. Overall a very happy DONS fan and I have been to Batley 3 times and we have won every time. COYD

What a Jekyll and Hyde side the Dons are.
We need a but more of the top stuff at the Keepmoat to be honest if the Dons can go and beat Fev and Batley away.
I am gonna miss the Barrow game ... bugger!!

www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... doncaster/ Taken from the Batley Forum.

www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php ... doncaster/ Taken from the Batley Forum.

Anyone know if Batley do highlights anywhere?

Team spirit really stood out for me yesterday! Everyone of those players wanted to win yesterday and it showed in the performance! Thought Kay's try was another amazing effort! Sanderson & Cooke were on top form! Castle worked his socks off and was mom in my opinion! Really impressed with kesiks defence I don't think he likes not being involved in tackles.butts had his best game in a long time too! My only criticism is Dennis under the high ball. He falls to pieces under pressure.

Not many if any changes for the Barrow game then !

An excellent 'team' performance yesterday with many in very good form. Lets kick on now in the forthcoming home fixtures and banish the spectre of relegation.