More chance of Michael Jackson scoring a hat-trick in the 1st half,JJ is out for the season,whatever you do don't mention Chesterfield again.

Probably should've layed off the tinpot/pub team comments, I'm just grouchy about the beating we're going to get on Sunday (Wednesday) if we play like we have for the last month or so. I'd love for us to win the NRC and yes, it'd be a great day out.

Anyway, back on topic.

The NRC finals not all it's cracked up to be, all that effort getting there and you don;t even score a point!...Still, the Big One was fun

The NRC is terrible. Just terrible. I hate it beyond belief.

I can't remember much of either day tbh. Alcohol took hold early.

:: Derby Preview ::

Doncaster RLFC take on local rivals Sheffield Eagles on Sunday in round 3 of the Northern Rail Cup - the big South Yorkshire derby has a 3pm kick-off at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Dons' star stand-off Paul Cooke will face a late fitness test after rolling his ankle in the last tackle of last weekend's 18-29 defeat to York City Knights.

Hull FC's dual signing Liam Cunningham will also have a late fitness test after sustaining the same injury whilst former Wakefield prop Kyle Bibb is added to the pack.

Full-back Mick Butterfield is almost certainly out with a combination of mouth, rib and leg injuries, but head coach Tony Miller is still relishing the chance to take on the Dons' local rivals, especially following a strong second half showing against the Knights.

"At 18-29 there wasn't a lot between the sides and I was really happy with our second half performance," he said.

"We completed 18 sets out of 18, didn't concede any penalties and won the half 12-4.

"There were a lot of positives and we'll look to learn from the game ahead of Sunday.

"Sheffield are a real good side and it's a derby for us so we're all looking forward to it."

Eagles' head coach Mark Aston is still recovering from their win over Leigh, which saw them overturn a 0-22 deficit in the final quarter to win by a single point.

"They talk about a game of two halves, but this was a game of four quarters, and we were rubbish in three of them," Aston said.

"But to win like that shows character and spirit because we hadn't been great.

"Doncaster have recruited really well and we played them a few weeks ago in a friendly and had it tough.

"It's a challenge for us and we'll have to be good, but I'm sure we can do the job."

Aston is without Michael Knowles after he chipped a bone in his wrist, and utility back Scott Turner and hooker Aaron Smith will both miss out after picking up injuries in training.

Mitch Stringer could return for the Eagles following a lengthy lay-off after a knee operation.

It promises to be a spectacular derby game and the Dons will be out to seek revenge after the Eagles beat them 22-40 in the inaugural Autism Plus South Yorkshire Cup last month.

The Dons need a win to keep up their hopes of securing a quarter-final spot in the Northern Rail Cup and Sheffield will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories in the group stages.

Make sure you don't miss the ONLY South Yorkshire derby worth watching this weekend - COME ON YOU DONS!

Good luck today lads, let's just hope there's cause for double celebration at 5pm.

Come on Eagles.

I'd like to thank the Eagles for playing their part in one of the best days ever. Seriously, what a day. Great win, sorry I wasn't there to see it, was too busy watching a bunch of losers from S2 go down in Hillsborough.

Up the Eagles!!

Well, this has been quite the day. The chorus of "The City is Ours" ringing round the Keepafloat ebfore the game was pretty special.

The game, well, it was an excellent performance, we had a lot of luck and rubs of the green in the first half. As you would expect, it was an incompetent performance from Master Turley, hopeless in our favour in ther first half, hopeless in their favour in the second half.

Ive got to say, we played well enough to earn that luck, Joe Hirst's second try was one of the best eagles tries ive seen in many long years, wonderful stuff. Hendo was excellent as always and Nev Morrison really looks the part. A wonderful team performance.

Sorry i wont be at the York game next week, on a stag do in Whitby, but ill be following on the twitter. Up the Eagles.

Prematch Touch Rugby game - www.flickr.com/photos/r82photogr ... 095638146/

Prematch Touch Rugby game - www.flickr.com/photos/r82photogr ... 095638146/

Match report now online. www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502

Match report now online. www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502

A few match photos. www.flickr.com/photos/r82photogr ... 100376558/

A few match photos. www.flickr.com/photos/r82photogr ... 100376558/

Quote ="E.S.O"Match report now online. www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502'" 56-12 to Donny!!

Quote ="E.S.O"Match report now online. www.sheffieldeagles.com/index.ph ... Itemid=502'" 56-12 to Donny!!

EASY EASY EASY!!!

Come on Sheffield do try harder!

Next the match report will be saying that Donny fans brought their 80s ipod on random shuffle with them!!

I'm still buzzing, we played really well for most of the game and scored some brilliant tries. I think we could be in for a good season.

Then we'd know for a fact its the wrong way round

NRC is great, isn't it?

Obviously there'll be tougher tests to come but, when you look at the players in the stand, we seem to have more strength in depth than we've had for a long time.

Brilliant 1st half, took our foot off the gas towards the end - would've like to have seen us be a bit more clinical, I'm sure Tubbs would've as well!

Great singing from the fans - well done away tarts



Ok it's early days, Doncaster were dire (don't like dissing the opposition, but they were awful!), need to guard against complacency (York got a shock win over Gateshead), but, by 'eck, it's better start than last season.

Any injury updates on Dano & Alex R?

Bring on the Mighty Knights!

Rowey is back in full training, Dano getting close.

Thanks for the update ESO.

Doc - I was being sarcy about York - hope it doesn't come back to bite me on the bum on Friday

Thats something no one would like to see.