Doncaster RLFC v Workington Town: League One play-off semi-final preview

Doncaster RLFC will host their biggest game for four years when taking on Workington Town in Sunday's Betfred League One promotion play-off semi-final at the Keepmoat Stadium (3pm).
Action from Doncaster's win over Workington last weekend. Photo: Rob TerraceAction from Doncaster's win over Workington last weekend. Photo: Rob Terrace
Action from Doncaster's win over Workington last weekend. Photo: Rob Terrace

Assistant coach Pete Green is calling on the town's sporting public to get behind the Dons in their bid to return to the Championship after three years in League One.

'As well as the regular supporters it would be great to see some of those people who haven't been down for a while to come and see what we are doing and get behind the team on Sunday,' said Green.

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'We've just set a new club record of ten successive league and cup wins and we are playing an exciting and expansive brand of rugby because we've got the players to be able to play like that which hasn't always been the case in recent years.

'There is a tremendous team spirit within the squad, which has the right mixture of youth and experience, and they all want to be playing for Doncaster in the Championship next season.'

It will be the second meeting of the two clubs at the Keepmoat in eight days with the Dons winning the final league match of the season 44-32.

'Although there was nothing at stake in terms of league positions it was a game we wanted to win to not only keep our unbeaten run going but to avenge the defeat up at Derwent Park in June when we were well beaten on the day,' said Green.

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'We didn't want to go into the play-off game having lost both league games against Workington.'

Last weekend's game saw 14 tries scored but Green expects Sunday's game to be a much tighter affair.

'We know we'll have to play a little bit better on Sunday though there was a huge amount of positives to take from the game, particularly how we played in the first 20 minutes or so.

'Had we not had to keep some players on longer than we would have liked due to some people picking up knocks, we probably wouldn't have conceded some of those late tries.

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'Both sides rested a couple of players last week or started with them on the bench and they'll have the likes of Oliver Wilkes back.

'We may have beaten them last week but they'll not lack confidence having done the double over Bradford Bulls who finished second. They are also travelling down on the Saturday.

'We know it's going to be physical and with Fuifui Moimoi they'll be a threat near our line.  He showed last weekend that he can be devastating from five metres out on the burst.

'But we are playing well and we're going into the game in a confident mood.'

Centre Jack Logan, who bagged a brace last weekend, is ruled out with a season-ending ankle injury and several other players will face late tests.