Keighley Cougars 28 Doncaster RLFC 44: Eight-try Dons triumph at fancied Cougars

Doncaster RLFC kept up the pace with the league leaders as they made it two wins from two games in League One.
Louis Sherriff opened try scoring for second week running. Picture: Andrew RoeLouis Sherriff opened try scoring for second week running. Picture: Andrew Roe
Louis Sherriff opened try scoring for second week running. Picture: Andrew Roe

The Dons faced their first big challenge on the road after their opening day win over Gloucester, and they scored eight tries as they overcame Keighley 28-44.

Along with Dons, Keighley were one of the sides fancied to challenge for promotion prior to the start of the season, and their opening day 60-4 win over South Wales Scorpions did nothing to quieten those suggestions.

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And it was the hosts who opened the scoring with the first try in West Yorkshire after just three minutes, as Richie Hawkyard sent Paul White over in the left corner.

However, they weren’t ahead for long, as full back Louis Sherriff scored Don’s first try of the afternoon, just as he did at the Keepmoat on the opening day, which was converted to give Dons the lead.

And a mere four minutes later, the away side scored their second try as Matty Welham benefitted from an excellent Dons move to race over in the corner.

There was never too much hope of either side running away with the game, as the home side scored their second try just before the 20 minute mark to make it 8-10.

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But Reece Dean then ran in two tries inside four minutes to give the away side some breathing space.

Hamish Barnes’ second try of the game for Keighley narrowed the gap once more, but the pendulum swung back in Dons’ favour before half time, as Jordie Hedges managed his side’s fifth try of the half.

The first score of the second half came when the Dons were hit on the counter, as Paul White ran from inside his own half to put Keighley within a converted try of their visitors once again.

Mason Tonks was the next to race over for Dons ten minutes later, and that was how it stayed until 14 minutes from time, when the win was assured thanks to Zak Braham after he was put over by Jordie Hedges, who also converted.

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The score stayed at 22-40 until four minutes from time, when the two sides exchanged tries once more. Keighley’s Ross Peltier barged his way over, before Welham touched down his second of the afternoon to put some gloss on the scoreline for Dons.

DONCASTER: Carr, M. Welham, L. Welham, Turgut, Sheriff, Dean, Hedges, Scott, Cross, Nicholson, Tonks, Foster, Milton. SUBS: Kesik, Aizue, Paleaaesina, Braham.