Six-try Dons impress boss Thornton

An impressive first half display laid the foundations for Doncaster RLFC's 44-8 League One win away at North Wales Crusaders.
Jordan Howden: New-look half-back combination with Kieran Cross. Photo:   Dean AtkinsJordan Howden: New-look half-back combination with Kieran Cross. Photo:   Dean Atkins
Jordan Howden: New-look half-back combination with Kieran Cross. Photo: Dean Atkins

The Dons ran in six tries, five scored by their backs, to come in leading 30-0.

“I was very pleased with our effort and we scored some nice tries and defensively we were also very good,” said Dons boss Gary Thornton.

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“We were a lot more clinical than we have been in our previous games – particularly in the first half, which is pleasing because that is something we’ve been working on.”

“To be fair, however, the conditions were a lot better than in our previous games to play that sort of game.”

He added: “Props Feka Paleaasina and Jamie Thackray were devastating off the bench and our off-loading and support play was great to watch at times.

“We expected them to come out firing in the second half and give it a go as they had nothing to lose and they did.

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“Having said that we became a bit sloppy at times and it was also a bit stop-start with a lot of penalties and that didn’t help, either.

“I was a bit worried at one stage that they might win the second half but that didn’t prove to be the case thanks to two late tries.”

Four of the club’s nine tries were shared by the new-look half-back combination of scrum-half Kieran Cross and Jordan Howden.

“Jack Miller was a bit unfortunate to miss out but Kieran came in and looks the part,” said Thornton.

The coach is hoping that injuries to Howden (ankle) and full-back Tom Carr (knee) don’t prove as serious as first thought.

“We’ll have a better idea on Tuesday,” he said.