Doncaster RLFC: Richard Horne pinpoints areas for improvement

Doncaster RLFC head coach Richard Horne again tackle the team's first half showing in last night's training session.
Richard Horne, left. Photo: Rob TerraceRichard Horne, left. Photo: Rob Terrace
Richard Horne, left. Photo: Rob Terrace

Although happy to be back on top spot following their 28-20 win over North Wales Crusaders and Bradford’s last-minute defeat at Workington, Horne admits there are areas for improvement.

“We didn’t start the game well and although we scored first we were always up against it in the first half,” he said. “We needed to be better in our exit sets and getting to our kicks and making them work harder to come away from their line.

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“They were a big strong physical team and looked a good side playing on the front foot.

“Everything they did in the first half was at a higher level of intensity and they’ll will have been disappointed not to have scored more points in that period.

“Their ruck speed was very quick and we were very slow so they did a job on us. Knowing that we like to move the ball about they knew they had to win the rucks and stop us getting on the front foot and they did that.

“We spoke at half time about raising our levels of intensity and getting control of the ruck area in the second half and we had it for about 30 minutes and scored some good tries before probably losing it again late on.

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“We got the start that we wanted and I think that we wore them down in the second half.

“Losing two players meant we only had two subs and the middles (forwards) had to do some big minutes but I thought they did really well.

“Although we’ve got things to work on we are still showing a lot of resolve with the way we are defending. Even though we are making errors and gifting teams field position, the boys are working hard for each other and that is getting us out of trouble at times.”

Horne checked on the fitness of hooker/half-back Kieran Cross and prop Russ Spiers.