It wasn't a classic, but it will be a game that Sean McDaid will always remember.

The 22 year-old utility man, who stood in for the injured Richie Wellens, capped a typically industrious display by scoring his first league goal for the club when opening the scoring just before the break.

McDaid's enthusiasm for the sport is there for all to see during a game, and he is equally enthusiastic off it, and it is always a pleasure to interview him.

Paul Green, who was 25 the day before, received a belated birthday present prior to the match when he was presented with the Supporters' Club's Player of the Month award for March.

SATURDAY: LEEDS United did Rovers a favour when beating second-placed Carlisle United 3-2 at Elland Road.

Being three points ahead with just three games to play, the second automatic place is Carlisle's to lose.

But there are definite signs that the pressure is starting to get to the Cumbrians who have a tougher run-in than Rovers and an inferior goal difference - albeit just one.

Saturday's (tomorrow) games could be vital to both clubs.

If Rovers were to win at fading Leyton Orient, and the Cumbrians were to lose at home to Southend, then I would fancy Sean O'Driscoll's men to go on and claim runners-up spot.

But if both clubs win then the pendulum would swing back in Carlisle's favour.

I did an interview, at his request, with Doncaster Hockey Club's Australian forward Nick Budgeon just prior to his return Down Under where he hopes to realise his dream of playing for Australia at both Under-21 and senior level.

Doncaster will miss Budgeon, not only for his goals - he was their top scorer with 25 - but also for the extra publicity he has brought them just by being media friendly and making the effort to get in touch on a regular basis during his two-year stay.

SUNDAY: DONCASTER Rugby League Club remained top of National League Two when beating Hunslet 24-16 at the South Leeds Stadium.

But they made hard work off it and apart from the opening stages of both halves it was difficult to tell which team was top and which team was second bottom without a win all season.

To be fair to Dons head coach Ellery Hanley he didn't look for excuses after the game and told it like it was.

It is sad to see a once-great club like Hunslet, who are celebrating their Centenary this year, struggling at the foot of the third tier of rugby league in this country.

Not only are they one of only four clubs to have won all four cups in the same season (1907-1908), but they have produced any number of great players over the years.

With money being tight and crowds struggling to break into four figures, it is difficult to see how they can once again become a force, even at National League level again.

My big worry is that Leeds, which supported three professional clubs not too long ago, will, in the near future, support just one - the all-conquering Leeds Rhino's.

Talking of support, it was good to see a fair few Doncaster fans in the crowd. It wasn't too long ago that the club had one of the best away followings outside the top flight as a percentage of their average home gate, but that support has dwindled in recent years.

The press box at the South Leeds Stadium, where I competed in quite a few Yorkshire Veterans' Athletic Championships over the years, was situated at the top of a flight of stairs leading to the main seating area which resulted in an almost constant flow of people walking past and obscuring my view of the pitch.

I had a chat with 20 year-old Dons stand-off Kyle Briggs after the game and he came across as a level headed young man. He could go a long way in the game.

WEDNESDAY: DONCASTER Knights Rugby Union Club booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Cup when beating derby rivals Rotherham 25-10 at Clifton Lane.

The massive turnout for the funeral service of 20 year-old Mexborough boxing prospect Scott Brooks, who was killed in a road traffic accident, reflected his popularity in and out of the ring.

Doncaster Rovers were annoyed to read a national newspaper report that they would sue Leeds United to have their 15 point deduction for alleged financial irregularities reversed at this week's three-day tribunal.

"We have never said that." said media manager Steve Uttley. "What we said was that we would explore our options if it happened.".

THURSDAY: DONCASTER Knights were drawn away for the third time in this season's Yorkshire Cup when being paired with Premiership strugglers Leeds Carnegie at Headingley next Wednesday in the semi-finals.

Doncaster Rovers' pool challenge was in full flow when I arrived at the club's training ground for the regular Thursday afternoon press conference.Rovers boss Sean 'Grinder' O'Driscoll had just beaten striker Gareth Taylor - though their was some suspicion among the media (we are like that) that Taylor, who had looked to be on course for victory, may have realised that it may not do his chances of selection for tomorrow's game at Leyton Orient any good had he beaten the gaffer.

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