REPORT | Dons 20 Toulouse 18

It was a famous evening for Doncaster RLFC on Saturday evening, as Richard Horne's men defeated Toulouse Olympique 20-18 in a classic at the Eco-Power Stadium. The French outfit, who are bidding to be a Super League side, couldn't cope with the Dons.

It was a great start for the Dons, who scored in the opening minutes. Connor Robinson's swirling bomb was spilt by Paul Marcon, and Josh Guzdek was first on the scene to mop up the loose ball and touchdown for the game's opening score. A well-deserved reward after matching Toulouse in every department in the early stages. 

Growing into the clash, the French side were rewarded back-to-back penalties following a barrage of attacks from the Dons. Hooker Callum Gahan spotted a gap in the defence to burrow over from close range, with ex-Wigan halfback Jake Shorrocks knocked over the two points with the boot, levelling the scoring in South Yorkshire after an energetic start. 

Guzdek could have had a brace before the break. However, the officials adjudged Watson Boas' pass to Alex Sutcliffe forward, and the fullback and Dons were their second of the evening. Smelling blood after a turn of fortune going their way, Olympique would take the lead in the following set. Mathieu Jussaume was on hand to pat back Shorrocks' cross-field kick which landed in the arms of Dom Peyroux, who only had to touch the ball down over the line after a gift from his centre. 

Heading into the final seconds of the first half, it felt cruel that the Dons would go into the sheds behind by 6. Seeing a chance to strike as the hooter blew, try-scorer Guzdek turned provider after finding Jason Tali in space, as the PNG veteran broke through Olympique's defence to get over for a well-deserved try. Robinson missed the kick, meaning the Dons trailed 10-12 after the first forty. 

The hosts nearly followed the first-half pattern of scoring in the opening moments after the restart. Boas and Tali were instrumental in getting the Dons upfield and in a try-scoring position. However, Brad Hey couldn't take Luke Briscoe's pat-down cleanly, as Toulouse survived an early onslaught. With the contest firmly in the balance, the Dons drew level thanks to a Robinson penalty just after the 50-minute mark. Horne's men saw another try disallowed shortly after. Joe Lovodua looked to be going in under the sticks, but a late call for a forward pass denied the dynamic dummy half from giving the Dons the lead. 

After a frantic few minitues, the Dons would go in front. However, only by two thanks to another penalty conversion from Robinson after a high tackle from the Olympique defence. Going toe-to-to and more with one of the league's best, the Eco-Power was a cauldron of noise as some big defence efforts and flair in attack dazzled the home fans, who were desperate to see their side post one of the biggest upsets of the season. Toulouse had their chances as we headed into the final 10 minitues, Roumanos and Ulberg came close to scoring, but their efforts came to nothing due to some brave defending from Brad Knowles and co. 

Then came what looked to be a heartbreaking moment. Shorrocks' pass to Olly Ashall-Bott looked forward from the stands, but the call wasn't given, and the fullback saw Ryan Rivett on his inside, who had a stroll in to steal the game for Toulouse. Never giving up, the Dons regained the ball from the restart, which landed in Luke Briscoe's hands. The winger produced a sensational flick behind his back, which landed in the arms of Craig Hall who got the ball down to level the scores once again. Robinson, with the whole of the stadium behind him, slotted over the conversion from touch to steal a famous victory and put the Dons back in a playoff spot. Up next is a tough trip to Cumbria to face Whitehaven. 

Doncaster RLFC

Josh Guzdek, Bureta Faraimo, Brad Hey, Jason Tali, Luke Briscoe, Watson Boas, Connor Robinson, Lewis Baxter, Joe Lovodua, Brad Knowles, Sam Smeaton, AJ Wallace, Loui McConnell

Subs: Alex Sutcliffe, Pauli Pauli, Craig Hall, Ilikaya Mafi

Tries: Guzdek, Tali, Hall

Conversions: Robinson 4/5

Toulouse Olympique 

Olly Ashall-Bott, Paul Ulberg, Reubenn Rennie, Mathieu Jussaume, Paul Marcon, Ryan Rivett, Jake Shorrocks, James Roumanos, Calum Gahan, Maxime Stefani, Dom Peyroux, Anthony Marion

Subs: Greg Richards, Dimitri Biscarro, Guy Armitage, Sitaleki Akauola 

Tries: Gahan, Peyroux, Rivett

Conversions: Shorrocks 3/3