ALMOST everything that Doncaster Rovers wished for on the penultimate weekend of the league season was granted.

They duly beat relegated Luton Town at the Keepmoat Stadium, far more convincingly than the 2-0 scoreline would suggest, thanks to goals by Matt Mills and Mark McCammon, and Carlisle crashed 3-0 at Millwall.

The two results saw Rovers, who maintained their belief during the run-in when even their own supporters doubted them, climb into the second automatic promotion spot.

Doncaster Knights ended their National League One campaign on a losing note when going down 24-17 against second-placed Exeter Chiefs at Castle Park after leading 17-10 at the start of the final quarter and seemingly in charge.

SUNDAY

THE Dons retained top spot in National League Two when beating second-placed Keighley Cougars 21-14 at the Keepmoat Stadium. It was a good advert for Second Division rugby with the result in doubt until Corey Lawrie's injury-time try.

Head coach Ellery Hanley, not one for dishing out praise unless it is warranted, paid a glowing tribute to boxing coach and club conditioner, Pete Bell, in the programme.

I have known Pete for a lot longer than Ellery and would endorse his general comments,

I had a long chat with former Dons scrum-half/hooker Martin Rowse in the St John Ellis Bar after the game. Rowse, who had attended the pre-match Dons Ex-Players' Association dinner, told me that his son Daniel, who he had brought along to the game, had been selected for the British Amateur Rugby League Association Under-18s Tour to Australia during the summer.

I had a chat with a few other former players before having a word with two of the club's most successful coaches, John Sheridan and Tony Fisher.

I have seen Sheridan a good few times since he stepped down in the mid-Eighties, but it was the first time I had seen Fisher for 13 years.

He reminded me that I had lent him a book on athletics when he was in charge because he wanted to improve speed and stamina, and said that his nephew, a promising cross country runner, had made good use of it.

Rovers midfielder Richie Wellens was named in the League One Team of the Year.

Wellens deserved his place in the team whilst one or two others were unlucky to miss out.

MONDAY

DONCASTER Rovers chairman John Ryan was a deserved winner of the Special Award at The Star and Green 'Un awards dinner in Sheffield.

His contribution to the Rovers cause over the last ten years cannot be overstated.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll, who made sure he was wearing a tie this year after being ribbed for not doing so at last year's dinner, picked up the Manager of the Year award.

Wellens, though unable to attend, won The Star Readers' Doncaster Player of the Year award.

Within a few minutes of saying that I never win anything in a raffle after buying a £10 strip, I won several tickets for a Steve Davis dinner.

Having interviewed the former world snooker champion on several occasions over the years I have found him to be far more interesting than portrayed in Spitting Image a few years back.

TUESDAY

THERE aren't that many bigger names in Rugby League than Ellery Hanley.

So Doncaster Toll Bar Amateur Rugby League Club were indeed honoured when Ellery agreed to officially open their refurbished clubhouse following last summer's disastrous floods.

Gary Warner and Jason Cross have both done a tremendous job, as have others, helping to both keep the club, who have been operating at a number of venues during the season, on an even keel.

The two men, who showed me around, have also helped with fund-raising and the refurbishment of the clubhouse and pitches.

The importance of the club to the Dons was highlighted by the fact that skipper Peter Green and Dean Colton, who were both in attendance, and Craig Lawton, all came through the junior ranks.

I noticed that the first man to officially open the club in 1993 was another Rugby League legend, Roger Millward.

I just about remember playing in the same District Schools' Rugby League team as Roger, who went on to captain Great Britain at Test level.

We were both members of the District athletics team, as was Malcolm Reilly, another man who went on to become an all-time Rugby League great both here and in Australia.

I had a few words about sporting injuries (we are both suffering from damaged fingers) politics and sport with Mayor Martin Winter.

Martin, who played professionally for the Dons, and as an amateur for the now defunct Rossington Hornets, told me that he intended playing in the forthcoming Politicians-Journalists challenge match.

I received an invitation to play but I am far too old to play these days.

Martin said that he would be keeping his fingers crossed (the ones that he can still cross) that Doncaster Rovers beat Cheltenham in tomorrow's crucial League One automatic decider.

"I wish them all the best," he said.

"I won't be going though because I always bring them bad luck on the big occasion, but I will be glued to the television keeping an eye on the latest score."

WEDNESDAY

DONCASTER Knights ended the season on a winning note when coming from behind to beat Wharfedale 24-17 in the Yorkshire Cup final at Harrogate.

Had Knights fielded their normal National League One line-up against the Dalesmen, who finished seventh in League Two, then the likelihood is that they would have won more convincingly.

But credit director of rugby Lynn Howells for sticking by the mixed side which had got the club through to the final.

THURSDAY

THERE were almost as many media people as players at what was the last opportunity to interview management and players before Saturday's must-win League One automatic promotion clash at Cheltenham at Rovers Cantley Park training ground.

It was obvious during his chat with the media that Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll has a lot of time for the Robins, but that will not affect his determination to engineer a repeat of his debut victory as Doncaster manager in last season's game

I had a chat with vice-chairman Dick Watson and he came across as a really nice guy, as do the other directors that I have spoken to over the years.

The club is indeed fortunate to have such a respectable, not to mention wealthy, board.

Had I not been told a couple of minutes earlier by media manager Steve Uttley - who jumped for joy at the news - that Leeds hadn't been awarded any points, I would have guessed that their appeal against the deduction of 15 points had been successful judging by the expression on chief executive Dave Morris's face as he walked into the South Stand reception area at 5pm.

But despite the fact that he wasn't smiling like Steve, I am certain that he was just as pleased.

Although an anti-climax in terms of a news story it was the right decision for all concerned and, to be honest, the outcome I had been expecting.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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