REPORT | Doncaster RLFC 36 Dewsbury Rams 26

The Dons put in one of their best performances of the season as they came away with a Watson Boas inspired 36-26 win against the new Betfred League One Champions Dewsbury Rams.

Having nilled their last two opponents London Skolars and Cornwall RLFC, Richard Horne’s side were looking to pick up a third straight victory to seal a third-place finish in Betfred League One and secure a home fixture in the first week of the playoffs.

Mahe Fonua who made his debut for the Dons last week scoring twice broke the deadlock again this week on the 20-minute mark after a cagey opening period. Having forced a goal line drop out which went pear-shaped for the visitors Fonua took advantage and powered over the line despite a resilient defence from the visitors.  

Half-back Connor Robinson continued his excellent record with the boot this season converting the extra points to make it 6-0.  

It took Dewsbury, who defeated the Dons earlier in the season, ten minutes to respond with Matthew Garside going over for his first of three on the near side. 

Liam Finn’s side showed they weren’t just here to see out the season with Callum Turner making a line break through the middle, Owen Restall running on his shoulder and crossing underneath the posts.  

This was the last action of the first half in what was a good game, but the second forty was where proceedings went up several gears. 

It took only five minutes for the first points of the second half to be put on the scoreboard when Matthew Garside crossed for his second of the game with Paul Sykes missing his conversion.  

Watson Boas grabbed his first of the match after picking up his own grubber kick into the in-goal area to make it 10-14, Robinson converting to further close the gap.  

An instant response from the visitors saw Oliver Greensmith score on the next set of six with a stretching arm, veteran Paul Sykes kicking the extra two points to give the Rams a 20-12 lead with 53 minutes on the clock.  

The momentum then swung back into Dons hands in the 57th minute, Ben Johnston broke through the middle to make it 16-20 with Connor Robinson converting.  

Boas then stumbled over the try line for his second of the fixture to hand the Dons a 22-20 lead with Robinson once again sticking the ball through the posts.  

Garside found the try line once again for the visitors picking up his hat-trick to make it 24-26 after a successful kick. 

Despite having Brett Ferres sin-binned the Dons hit back once more with Watson Boas latching onto a fumbled kick to score his hat-trick of tries.  

Mahe Fonua made sure the game was put to bed as he made a break to score under the posts with Robinson’s conversion handing Horne’s side a 36-26 victory on the final league game of the 2023 campaign.  

The Dons aren't done there however, today's victory sealed a third-spot league finish confirming a home tie with Oldham in the playoffs next Sunday, September 3.