Doncaster RLFC: Cooke’s pride in battling Dons

Trailing 26-0 against the the relegated Super League side early in the second half, the Dons scored four tries without reply to close the gap to just four points at the end.

“I’m proud of the boys and I know what I’m going to get from them and I know I’m going to get that kind of commitment every single week and to a man they are a credit and I’m proud of every one of them,” said Cooke.

“But what we have got to do is to come up with some answers to the early part of the game, “ added Cooke.

The boss refused to use the long journey to the capital on the day of the game as an excuse for finding themselves trailing 20-0 at the start of the second quarter: “What we have got to do is to be better earlier in the game and show more quality and resilience and get into more of an arm-wrestle type game like we did in the second half.”

Cooke, who fielded three players from Hull FC in his starting line-up to cover for injuries, plans to mount a spying mission on Sunday’s opponents Featherstone Rovers tonight.

With their Post Office Road ground still not ready to host a game following a pitch extension, their home game against Hunslet is being staged at Wakefield Trinity’s Belle Vue ground.

Rovers, who have been busy recruiting players during the close season after finishing runners-up to Leigh last season, are expected to be one of the teams challenging for a top-four spot again this season.