REPORT | Dons 10 Midlands Hurricanes 41

The Dons fell to their first home defeat of the season with a 10-41 reverse to Midlands Hurricanes at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Having had a three-week break from Betfred League One action, Richard Horne’s side were looking to pick up two much-needed points as they continue their push for promotion.

However, trailing 6-19 at half time, the deficit was too much for Doncaster to overcome as they fell to back-to-back defeats. 

Captain Sam Smeaton made sure that the Dons had the best possible start. After his teammates put on sustained pressure, the ball found the skipper who, thanks to the wet conditions, knee slid across the line. 

Half-back Connor Robinson converted to make it 6-0.

But thoughts of a comfortable afternoon soon disappeared. In the 12th minute, the Hurricanes levelled up when Liam Welham chased down a grubber kick and grounded, with Jacob Hookem adding the extras.

The Dons continued to push. On his return to the matchday squad, full back Elliot Hall broke from centre field to go one-v-one on the last defender. Spotting Jason Tali on his shoulder, he offloaded but the pass was too heavy and the Dons were ultimately held up over the line.

Good movement with the ball enabled Midlands to take advantage with Welham crossing over for his second of the afternoon. 

Having met just last month, the Hurricanes continued to show how far they had come since the Dons defeated them 26-54 in Birmingham. Forcing a goal line drop out, Midlands took advantage with Daniel Barcoe going over from short range in the 36^th minute to stretch the advantage to ten.

As the half-time hooter sounded, the visitors worked the ball to Tom Wilkinson who put a perfect boot to the ball for a field goal - much to the joy of his team-mates to make it 6-19 at half time and give the Hurricanes some breathing room.

A much improved performance was needed from the Dons in the second half but it was the visitors who struck first when Ross Oakes found the line following an unforced error in defence.

Hookem converted a penalty just before the hour mark as Midlands turned the screw.

And things went from bad to worse for the Dons as Brett Ferres was sent off with 15 minutes remaining and Hookem slotted over the penalty.

Todd Horner played a key role in the visitors' next two tries which came just two minutes apart with Hookem and Bowring being on the receiving end of from the full back offloads. 

With just seconds left of the game and trailing 41-6, debutant Olly Butterworth managed to scooter over the line in the corner to reduce the deficit for the Dons, though Robinson missed the conversion.