Report | Dons 30 North Wales Crusaders 16

The Dons made it three wins from three in Betfred League One as they overcame North Wales Crusaders 30-16 at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Skipper Sam Smeaton scored a hat-trick, while wingers Tom Halliday and Travis Corion were also on the scoresheet,

Richard Horne included Bradford Bulls loanee Max Clarke among his interchanges, after the outside back joined the Dons on a two-week loan.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Dons though as they fell behind inside the opening five minutes when Owain Abel went from dummy-half and created a try for himself as he side-stepped two Dons defenders. Daniel Moss converted to put the visitors 6-0 up.

The Dons hit back with a quarter of the game gone thanks to Halliday, who having scored the winner against Workington last time out was on the end of a move which saw quick hands across the field before the winger went over to level the scores via a conversion from Connor Robinson.

The home side then began to gain control of the game and would go into half-time with the lead. Captain Smeaton burst through the line from close range and managed to plant the ball down. Robinson added the extras to leave the score at 12-6 at the break.

With 10 minutes gone in the second-half Smeaton had his second and the Dons’ third of the afternoon. More good work saw the ball shifted down the short side before the Doncaster-born back-rower scrambled over the line.

North Wales found a response five minutes later though as Chris Barratt managed to find a way to the try-line from close range, to once again reduce the deficit to just six points.

Two tries in four second-half minutes then helped Horne’s men put the game beyond doubt. The first saw Smeaton complete his hat-trick, before Corion scored the try of the day after a break through the middle found the winger, and he managed to dive over in the corner to put the Dons 18 points in front with 14 minutes to play.

The final try of the day would go to the Crusaders as Matthew Reid scored their third of the day, but the points would remain in South Yorkshire as the Dons continued their 100% winning record in 2023.