timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-2.html

timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-2.html

I always thought it was Vila who put Quinnells nose across his face when he went down to tackle him far too low and far too early, Vila kneed him (pure accident or course) square on the nose.Quinnell made his way to the blood bin with what was left of his nose in his hands listening to the crowd welcoming him to rugby league. Great days.

I always thought it was Brendan Carlyle that got him.....

Nostalgia is not what it used to be is it.

Doncaster 10
Wigan 28

Wigan's gamble of playing a league match in the week of a major final paid off handsomely as they returned to their familiar position on top of the First Division last night.

Starting a match at Tattersfield without six of the players they would hope to have on duty in the Regal Trophy final on Saturday looked a risky proposition until Jason Robinson settled Wigan's nerves after 14 minutes.

He took advantage of Craig Murdock and Va'aiga Tuigmala's neat handling to go in at the corner and Frano Botica landed his conversion from the touchline, soon adding a penalty for offside. Botica also began the incisive move carried on by Phil Clarke that brought Denis Betts a second Wigan try .

Botica's second conversion built a handy Wigan lead but Doncaster have not lacked spirit during a difficult campaign so far, and they hit back through their scrum-half, Barry Eaton, who was awarded a penalty try, converted by Alex Green, when he was obstructed chasing his own kick through.

Before half-time, however, Tuigamala again squeezed out his pass to let Robinson in for his second try, once more improved by Botica.

An enforced change of referee at half-time did not bring any change of fortune for Doncaster. In fact, it was a decision given against them for trying to milk a penalty that allowed Wigan to sweep the ball across field for Henry Paul to send in Paul Atcheson for another try.

Doncaster still would not lie down and Tony Zelei fooled the Wigan defence with a kick that he followed up to touch down.

A Wigan performance notable for the championship debut of Scott Quinnell that revealed plenty of rough edges, especially in his handling, was rounded off by another two Botica penalties. Wigan still have a great deal of work to do on Quinnell before he can be considered a feasible successor to the likes of Betts and Clarke, although they can point to the successful transition of the influential Tuigamala.

Even when Doncaster lost Sonny Whakarau to the sin-bin, they never let their illustrious visitors run away with a match that left them with some wear and tear to take into their appointment with Warrington.

Doncaster had the consolation of a 4,506 crowd to help them through their continuing financial crisis and they will also know that if they play this well against teams of lesser stature they will have little difficulty in amassing the points to consolidate their First Division place.

Doncaster: Hayes; Williamson, Zelei, Evans, Rothwell, Green, Eaton, Jackson (Thornton, 52, Linguard, 74), Carlyle, Matautia (Ellis, 52), Whakarau, Miller (Matautia, 57).

Wigan: Atcheson; Robinson, Tuigamala (Connolly, h-t), Paul, Radlinski, Botica, Murdock, McDermott, Hall, Cassidy, Betts (Haughton, h-t), Quinnell, Clarke (Tuigamala, 65).

Referee: R Tennant (Castleford).

I remember that try by Tony 'The Ghost' Zelei.



Fantastic!!



A crowd of 4,506 - on a Wednesday night as well - wish we could
pull a crowd of that size now

Is that report from memory DF, cos if it is, that is remakable



What are the 39 steps ?

The timing of the substitutions was a bit tricky to be honest



Mr Memory

Was Jamie Bloom banned at this stage Bruce? . Seen him play a few times recentley for Old Risworthians against Thornensians. Hes definatlely quietened down a bit since them days. In fact he was on radio Leeds after last sundays game.

He was tested positive November 1994 Dave,a couple of months before this game.

Jamies last game for The Dons was the away game vs Leeds, he scored an hat trick in the game and it was strongly rumoured that he would have been a Leeds player on the Monday if he had not been banned.

Doug Laughton the then Leeds coach was a great admirer of Jamies.

Thats right Steve and it was Loughton who took him to Widnes as soon as his ban had finished.
Would the club be in this position now if Jamie had not tested positive. With the three figure sum that was rumoured to be coming from Leeds we would have been able to keep the squad of players that started the Big league season together and would have got the full Super league monies instead of the F.A that we did get.
But ha ho

Three figure sum?

Sorry six figure sum.

It would have all ended up in Desmonds pocket, I doubt the club would have seen a penny of it.

As I was about to say...at best it would have prolonged it all briefly

no

Gareth Thomas got a similar welcome to RL in the friday night Sky match.

that match last night was one of the worst games of rugby i've ever had the misfortune to watch

You're right DonnyPlumber.....that game was indeed a disgrace.
The refereeing was a disgrace.
The fact that this sh/te was on when Saints were playing Warrington makes me wonder.
I can't remember watching Saints this season on Sky....while Sky and the RFL are serving up this subsidised sh/te with two teams populated largely by antipodean rejects.
Neither of these sides should be allowed anywhere near our tellies.

It was rugby league to stun pigs by.

Like I said in a previous post Harlequins seem to be out of favour and the Crusaders are the rugby leagues new flagship don't be surprised if they make it to the challenge cup final this season

Do not expect the RFL to have any standards on anything, they would sell their Grannies given a chance.