The Saints were a better side than I expected them to be and they look to have some promising young players in their ranks.
But it was another game that Rovers - though not at their best - could have won.
Jason Price, still a yard or so slower
than this time last season due to lack of games, showed up well on his first start of the campaign, as did Darren Byfield.
Doncaster's Olympic Games taewkwondo bronze medallist, Sarah Stevenson, did a lap of honour before the game.
Sarah and dad Roy sat next to me in the press box. Roy nearly had a heart attack when I told him halfway through the first half he would have to write a half-time report.
He looked relieved when I told him I was only joking!
Sarah, who I have interviewed on a number of occasions over the years, told me she was interested in football but had never previously been to the Keepmoat Stadium.
Doncaster Knights have never lost at home to Newbury and that record was never in any doubt as they posted a 37-9 National League One win over the Blues at Castle Park.
SUNDAY: Doncaster Rugby League Club came from behind to beat Oldham 18-10 in their Co-operative National League Two promotion play-off final at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Although the recently-built stadium, which has a similar capacity to the Keepmoat Stadium, is a vast improvement on Warrington's Wilderspool ground, it doesn't come close to the Doncaster venue in my view, with the mix of standing and seating not as pleasing on the eye.
The game itself was a credit to NL2 with the result being in doubt until late in the game.
Oldham looked as though they meant business in the first quarter and the Dons were perhaps fortunate to only be 6-2 down at the break.
But they raised the bar in the second half.
Scrum-half Luke Gale, who will be plying his trade with Harlequins in the Super League next season, went out on a high by taking his new club tries-in-a-season record to 30 in addition to taking the man of the match award.
No sooner had the final whistle blown than head coach Ellery Hanley was announcing he was stepping down due to the club's financial situation.
A relaxed Hanley said in the post-match press conference his No 2 Tony Miller had told the players of his decision 90 minutes before the kick-off.
I suggeste such a ploy had been a gamble - an argument Hanley rejected.
Doncaster Athletic Club staged an Olympic Taster Day at their Keepmoat track.
The event was designed to give non-members the chance to try out the sport and receive some basic coaching.
"There weren't as many people turn up as we had hoped but I don't think that it was particularly well publicised," said vice-chairman Dave Liley.
"It may also have been the wrong time of the year and we are looking at running something similar next Spring.
"But even though there weren't that many down we still got a couple come down to the club on Tuesday."
MONDAY: Dons chairman Craig Harrison ended weeks of speculation about his future at the club when announcing he was stepping down after just 15 months at the helm.
Despite admitting how hard it had been running the club, Harrison tried to put a positive slant on things and said the Dons were in a better position than most clubs in the game.
But though I don't blame Harrison for wanting out in view of the lack of support, I don't share his optimism.
The Dons will have to shell out more money to run a League One club than a Division Two club and could well rue being promoted.
It is certainly a worrying time for everyone connected with the club.
It is also the time for anyone thinking of taking over the club to ask themselves: Is there enough support for a professional club in the town in 2008?
TUESDAY: Doncaster Rovers slumped to their fifth successive defeat at home to derby rivals Sheffield United at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Blades' 2-0 win saw them climb into the top six while Rovers dropped into the bottom three.
Yet in most aspects of the game apart from finishing, Rovers were as good, if not better, than their big-spending opponents.
It is just a lack of goals which is holding Rovers back.
I still believe there is enough firepower on the club's books to get them out of trouble - though they have to be on the top of their game.
But lf the situation doesn't change within the next month or so, then Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll will have to act.
I had a word with both Glynn Snodin, who was also at the Southampton game, and former Rovers boss Dave Penney, who was acting as a summariser for a radio station.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarOwls Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarWatch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much moreFootball headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 929 words and appears in Doncaster Star newspaper.
