MATCH REPORT | Dons 18 Swinton 8

After four games without a victory, Doncaster RLFC got back to winning ways on Saturday evening, defeating Swinton Lions 18-8 in a tense battle.

Played at the Millennium Stadium, Featherstone due to the Eco-Power Stadium getting refurbished, the Dons made the short trip to West Yorkshire for their "home" game with the Greater Manchester side. 

After an even start to the contest, both teams found it hard to make inroads in attack. Neither side created any clear-cut chances in the opening stages, but the Dons' discipline would cost them. Veteran forward Brett Ferres was sin-binned on 15 minutes for a high shot on Jake Spedding before Pauli Pauli was yellow carded 42 seconds later. The hosts were down to 11 men with a big defensive effort needed. 

Making their numerical advantage count immediately, Joe Purcell got the game's opener, as Swinton caught the Dons on the edge. Dan Abram nailed the conversion, as Alan Kilshaw's men led after a heated opening quarter. 

Needing to stem the flow of Swinton's attack, the Dons prevented from scoring whilst down to 11. Some brave efforts in defence from Tom Halliday, Jason Tali and Connor Robinson enabled the scoreline to keep close, albeit a tough ask at the time. Something that will have encouraged coach Richard Horne and his players. 

A scrappy half, the Dons were limited to good ball chances and some forced errors at key times hurt the attacking flow. Swinton would extend their lead moments before the half-time hooter thanks to the boot of Abram after a penalty went against Horne's troops, with the Lions leading 8-0 as the teams went into the sheds. 

Needing a response, the Dons looked to have got a try early in the second half after a better passage of play. Nevertheless, as Watson Boas crashed over the line, the previous pass from Connor Robinson was called forward by the officials, but the hosts had more energy and looked more of a threat with ball in hand. 

Getting on the front foot, all the Dons' pressure would finally pay off. On the last tackle, Reece Lyne opted to scoot from dummy-half, and the ex-England star bustled his way over from close range, breaking the dam that had been ready to burst for some time. Robinson nailed the kick from touch, as the Lions' lead narrowed to two. 

With the ascendancy swinging in favour of the Dons, Bureta Faraimo would produce a brilliant solo try to give Horne's men the lead for the first time. The ex-Hull FC man burst through the initial contact, before racing 20m through some would-be defenders to get over the line. A top effort to change the shift in energy after a lacklustre performance before the two quick-fire tries. 

With the game hanging in the balance, Connor Robinson, who was named man of the match, did what all controlling halfbacks do. Spotting Swinton shifting in-field, the playmaker produced a sensational cross-field kick which landed in the hands of Tom Halliday, who still had some work to do before bagging the match-winner. A much-needed victory for the team, who now head to Dewsbury Rams next Sunday, a team Horne's side beat at the Eco-Power Stadium in May.

Doncaster RLFC

Josh Guzdek, Bureta Faraimo, Reece Lyne, Jason Tali, Tom Halliday, Craig Hall, Connor Robinson, Brad Knowles, Joe Lovodua, Suaia Matagi, Brett Ferres, Pauli Pauli, Nathan Wilde

Bench: Brad Hey, Keelan Foster, Watson Boas, Ilikaya Mafi

Tries: Lyne, Faraimo, Halliday

Conversions: Robinson 3/3

Swinton Lions

Joe Purcell, Matthew Chrimes, Jake Spedding, Jayden Hatton, Rhys Williams, Jack Stevens, Dan Abram, Michael Wood, Jake Burns, Anthony Walker, Jonathon Vaughan, Mitchell Cox, Lewis Hall

Bench: George Roby, Jordan Case, Jordan Brown, Andrew Badrock

Tries: Purcell

Conversions: Abram (2/2)