REPORT | Dons 4 Bradford 18

After a defeat to Whitehaven RFLC last time, Doncaster returned to the Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday, hosting Bradford Bulls in South Yorkshire.

On a day that saw Connor Robinson and Josh Guzdek both make their 200th career appearance, the Dons will maybe see the 4-18 defeat as a game that could and probably should have swayed in their favour after controlling the majority of the clash until a flurry of late Bradford tries. 

It was a cagey start from both sides. Composed, but lacking any potency in attack with the wind swirling inside the stadium. However, it was the Dons who clicked into gear first. Putting some neat-shift plays on, Reece Lyne and Watson Boas both came close to scoring but lacked the final touch resulting in knock-ons rather than four-points. 

In all fairness, the opening quarter was an error-fest. Both sides were guilty of coughing up possession on good areas, and it wasn't easy on the eye for coach Richard Horne and the Dons faithful inside the Eco-Power. Nevertheless, it was the same for the Bulls, who made countless errors with ball in hand. 

Finding themselves on the front foot, it was the Dons who opened the scoring. Connor Robinson's cross-field kick was caught by Luke Briscoe, who tapped it back to Pauli Pauli, before the big man returned the favour to Briscoe on the wing, who dived in the corner to put the home side in front after a scrappy start to the contest. 

As the first half entered its latter stages, both teams started to open up in attack. More free-flowing than the start, the Bulls threw plenty at the Dons, but Horne's men held firm and produced plenty of grit in defence to keep them at bay. The Dons could have had another before the break but went into the sheds 4-0 up with the contest far from over. 

The second half started identical to the first. Both teams found it tough to complete, but it was still the Dons on the front foot. Loui McConnell and Connor Robinson both had chances to extend the lead for the hosts, but again that final piece of the attacking jigsaw was missing at times. Bradford were a man down on the 52-minute mark, Tyran Ott was sent to the sin-bin after an incident at the play the ball. 

An old-fashioned, scrappy battle of attrition, the game would be won by whoever could control territory, and be smart out of possession as we headed into the final stages. Still 4-0 to the Dons, the Bulls started to throw caution to the wind, and it eventually paid off. Eribe Doro, who is Hull KR bound in 2025, broke through the Dons' middle unit, handing Jordan Lilley a walk-in under the sticks. The halfback converted his try, handing the Bulls a two-point lead with ten on the clock. 

Running out of steam after a valiant effort, the Dons would concede twice before the hooter, to take the game out of their reach. Lilley's grubber kick was collected by Kevin Appo, and the PNG star was on hand to give the Bulls a two-score lead before Tom Holmes grabbed one from close range, seeing the away side take the points back to Odsal. 

Doncaster RLFC

Josh Guzdek, Bureta Fariamo, Brad Hey, Reece Lyne, Luke Briscoe, Watson Boas, Connor Robinson, Suaia Matagi, Joe Lovodua, Brad Knowles, Pauli Pauli, Alex Sutcliffe, Loui McConnell

Subs: Craig Hall, Ilikaya Mafi, Brett Ferres, Lewis Baxter

Tries: Briscoe

Conversions: Robinson 0/1

Bradford Bulls 

Tom Holmes, Jayden Okunbur, Jayden Myres, Max Lehmann, Jorge Taufua, Jarrod Sammut, Jordan Lilley, Logan Baliss, Mitch Souter, Michael Lawrence, Kevin Appo, Zac Fulton, Eribre Doro

Subs: John Davies, Tyran Ott, Franklin Pele, Harvey Makin

Tries: Lilley, Appo, Holmes

Conversions: Lilley 3/3