Doncaster RLFC 44-16 Midlands Hurricanes
Betfred Championship Round Twenty-Four
By Tom Kiernan-Wilson
The Canes went into last Sunday’s clash with Doncaster knowing both teams were in good form (the Canes having won five of their last six, the Dons eight of their last nine). Both sides were also doing it tough, with the Dons playing their third game in eight days and the Canes struggling to name a fit 17 due to a raft of injuries, which would see Assistant Coach Chris Cullimore named on the bench for the first time since February 2025 as emergency cover.
After trading initial sets, the hosts struck first on six minutes as Doncaster stalwart Connor Robinson made a break through the Canes line and fed Connor Jones to race behind the sticks (4-0). Robinson – famous for his goal-kicking ability – had no issues extending the Dons lead (6-0).
Robinson would double the Dons lead seven minutes later, as some flair on the last play would see him sell him a dummy and cut through the Canes defence to dot the ball down (10-0). Robinson would go on to convert his own try (12-0).
With just under 25 minutes played the Dons would have an opportunity to extend their lead further as the Canes were penalised for a tip-tackle right in front of their posts. Robinson – perhaps knowing his teammates were beginning to tire – opted to kick an easy penalty and secure a three-score lead (14-0).
As the first half entered it’s final ten minutes, the Canes had their first real spell of momentum as the Dons defence began to wilt under pressure. A good set allowed Lewis Else to place a chip kick in the left corner, with Matty Chrimes beating his counterpart to score and cement his position as the Canes player to score the most tries in a single season (14-4). Chrimes was unable to convert from out wide.
Five minutes later the Canes struck again, as some poor handling from the Dons gifted Midlands a fresh set just 20 metres out. This provided Else with a chance to provide a second assist to Ross Oakes, with the centre beating defenders to rass through a gap and score (14-8). Chrimes would add the extras from the kicking tee (14-10).
Despite all the momentum sitting with the visitors, it would be the Dons who closed out the first half with what would prove to be the impact moment of the match. Former Super League veteran Reece Lyne would fend off Else and canter through a wide gap in the Canes defence for a relatively easy try (18-10), and Robinson would be on hand to restore the home side’s 10-point lead just before the hooter (20-10).
That try would seemingly ignite a fire within the Dons, who started the second half strongly and forced the Canes into conceding an early penalty. That would eventually see former Coventry Bears second-rower Jacob Jones crash over right of the posts (24-10). Robinson would convert (26-10).
Whilst Todd Horner would produce some fantastic defence to deny the hosts a try a few minutes later, the Dons momentum would continue as former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers prop Muizz Mustapha bundled his way over the line on 50 minutes (30-10), with Robinson once again converting (32-10).
With the game arguably out of sight already, a little over seven minutes later the Dons would extend their lead as a suspect pass put Sam Smeaton in space to go over (36-10). Robinson would once again score from the kicking tee (38-10).
The Canes would then arguably undergo their second best spell of the game, as some resilient defending and opportunities with the ball would see neither side score for almost twenty minutes. The Canes would however make life hard for themselves at times, with the Dons energy levels not reflecting a side having to play their third game in a week.
The visitors defence would eventually be broken however, as some good hands down the right would find winger Luke Briscoe in plenty of space to stroll and dot the ball down (42-10). Robinson would nail an impressive conversion from out wide (44-10).
It would have been easy for the Canes to just play out the final five minutes, but the visitors insisted on having the last word after a difficult afternoon. That effort was rewarded in the dying moments as a spilled ball in the ruck allowed Aiden Roden to feed Matty Chrimes, who raced down the wing and chipped inwards to Tyler Dickinson who barrelled over for his third try of the season (44-14). Chrimes would convert on the hooter (44-16).
Whilst Head Coach Mark Dunning would be disappointed with the defeat, his Canes side are almost certainly guaranteed a home Qualifying Eliminator game in the playoffs provided they secure a single point in their next two games (or Whitehaven fail to win both of their remaining fixtures). The first of those two games sees the Canes travel to the Northeast to face second-placed Newcastle Thunder this Saturday (22 August).
Man of the Match:
Tyler Dickinson (Sponsored by DC Environmental)
Tries:
Chrimes, Oakes and Dickinson
Cons:
Chrimes (2/3)
