REPORT | Dons 18 Sheffield Eagles 22

Doncaster RLFC suffered defeat in the 1895 Cup on Sunday afternoon, going down 18-22 to South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Eagles at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Dons coach Richard Horne made five changes to the side that beat Midlands Hurricanes last week. Craig Hall, Reece Lyne, Brad Knowles, Loui McConnell and Jose Kenga made way for Josh Gudzek, Joe Lovodua, Tyla Hepi, Brett Ferres and Keelan Foster to play a Sheffield side that beat Super League outfit Hull KR last time out. 

It was a feisty start to the contest, with some good hits in defence from the Dons, who nearly opened the scoring in the first few seconds, but Gudzek's jinking run was cut short just before the try-line. Experienced Eagles centre Kris Welham looked to be over moments later, but some good defence from the hosts prevented him from crossing the whitewash.

With a battle of attrition happening, the Dons were dealt a setback after skipper Sam Smeaton was sin-binned for a high tackle. However, riding their numerical disadvantage as best as they could, the deadlock was broken by Sheffield on the 27-minute mark. Tendai Gwaze bustling over from close range to give Mark Aston's men the lead. 

It wouldn't take long for Doncaster to reply with a try of their own. Sheffield prop Evan Hodgson was sent to the sin-bin for a high shot. Wasting no time to make it count, Joe Lovodua spotted a gap in the defence to race downfield before finding Alex Sutcliffe in support. The conversion was nailed by Connor Robinson, who led up the derby. 

With tensions high, the final moments of the first half saw numerous penalties given to both sides as discipline started to drop. Sheffield, sat in front of the sticks, opted to take the two on offer which was landed by Cory Aston. The hosts trailed 6-8 at the break in a feisty encounter living up to the pre-game hype. 

It wasn't the best start to the second half for Horne's men. Conceding back-to-back penalties, Sheffield charged up field before Oliver Roberts hit a strong line to bundle over the Dons' defensive line. Aston missed the kick, meaning the hosts were still in a one-score ball game even after an early setback. 

Sheffield would go back-to-back in tries in the following set. Taking control of the contest, Evan Hodgson, back from his earlier yellow card, would make up for his sin-bin by hitting a good line to cross the whitewash. 

In control, Sheffield grew in confidence, which would increase even further when Roberts bagged his brace. Running onto the ball with intent, Doncaster couldn't prevent the former Huddersfield Giants prop from crashing over for his second. 

Not giving up, Luke Briscoe's tremendous tackle on Matty Dawson would inspire Doncaster to two quick-fire tries of their own. First, Ben Johnston produced an elusive dummy to fool Sheffield's defenders close to the line before a bizarre restart from the Eagles affected by the swirling wind would eventually find Sutcliffe, who handed teammate Lovodua a repeat of the gift he'd handed him earlier in the contest after a two v one with the fullback was executed to perfection. 

With the Eagles leading by four and the game hanging in the balance heading into the final 10 minutes, the contest and bragging rights were still firmly up for grabs for either camp. Doncaster had their chances and never gave up trying to create something in attack. In the final moments, Brad Hey thought he'd snuck over on the hooter to bring the game level. However, it wasn't to be in the first South Yorkshire derby of 2024, as the hosts fell 18-22 to the Eagles. 

Up next for Doncaster is a trip to Widnes Vikings in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Sunday, 11th February. 

Doncaster RLFC 

Josh Gudzek, Luke Briscoe, Brad Hey, Jason Tali, Tom Halliday, Ben Johnson, Connor Robinson, Alex Holdstock, Joe Lovodua, Suaia Matagi, Alex Sutcliffe, Sam Smeaton, Brett Ferres

Bench: Keelan Foster, Pauli Pauli, Tyla Hepi, Watson Boas

Tries: Sucliffe, Johnston, Lovodua

Conversion: Robinson 3/3

Sheffield Eagles

Jack Hansen, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kris Welham, James Glover, Matty Dawson-Jones, Corey Aston, Anthony Thackeray, Ed Battye, Vila Halafihi, Mitch Clark, Alex Foster, Joel Farrell, Tendai Gwaze

Bench: Kyle Wood, Oliver Roberts, Bailey Lui, Evan Hodgson

Tries: Gwaze, Roberts (2), Hodgson

Conversions: Aston 3/5