A couple of bad results , but they are gone now, an improvement is needed if we are to take the three points from this one. Batley are expected to do well and will no doubt be favourites for this one , I think it will be fairly close and could go either way, hopefully ours. Need to make home advantage count.

James Clare named in Cas 19 man squad for Friday

m.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport ... -1-5469393

m.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport ... -1-5469393

Unless there is a ramping up of attitude amongst the incomers we will get beat again.
Seeemmmpppples!
I will be there though as usual.

For the full 80 mins ?

Cunningham still out injured .

Match Preview

Doncaster Rugby League Club return to action at the Keepmoat Stadium after a two week absence and entertain Batley Bulldogs in round 6 of the Kingstone Press Championship this Mothering Sunday (3:00pm kick-off).

The Bulldogs have enjoyed a solid start to the new season and are currently joint fifth in the Championship after 5 rounds. The Dons have 7 points from their 5 games and will be looking to make full use of their home advantage at the weekend.

There's mixed news on the injury front for the blue and gold's as Chris Spurr returns to the fold and skipper Kyle Kesik has been declared fit. Mark Castle will face a late fitness test but both Carl Hughes and Matt Carbutt will sit out against the Bulldogs.

Hughes is expected to the fit for the away fixture at Swinton on the 17th (March) after tearing a pectoral muscle but Carbutt's injury will be more long term. The prop forward will undergo a scan at the weekend to determine the full extent of his knee injury.

Liam Cunningham is still recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered in the opening game of the season against Dewsbury Rams and is due for a scan on Tuesday. Danny Cowling is the sole representative of the dual registration system and loan signing James Clare has been included in Castleford's 19 man squad for their game at Hull FC this evening.

The Dons forward line has been boosted with the arrival of Josh Johnson from Super League leaders Huddersfield Giants. The 18 year-old prop forward is a first team member of the Giants and initially joins the club on a month's loan.

Tony Miller's men are aiming to claim their third win of the season as the perfect antidote to last week's 42-22 defeat at Hunslet Hawks and said: "We've realised that there's no easy games in this league and we're adapting to life in the Championship.

"We were disappointed with our performance and the result at Hunslet and the issues raised from the game have been discussed and worked on at training throughout the week.

"We need to be more disciplined and smarter around the park but we're determined to get the formula right and get back to winning ways."

The Bulldogs last outing was played in front of the Premier Sports cameras which ended in a thrilling 18-18 draw against Halifax at the Love Rugby League Stadium. Batley were trailing 12-18 in the dying minutes before Johnny Campbell's try and a Tom Hemmingway touchline conversion ensured the draw.

Miller added: "Batley will be a bit fresher than us after their game against Halifax last Thursday (28th February) and Sunday's fixture will be a very tough test for us.

"They're one of the strongest teams in the Championship so we'll need to be at our best to get something from the game.

"It's a great challenge for us though, one the squad is looking forward to and it'll be good to get back on home soil and we're hoping the Doncaster public come out in force and give us their support."

Batley head coach John Kear must plan without Mark Applegarth, who broke his forearm during last week's 18-18 draw with Halifax and said: "We're carrying a couple of other knocks as well, and the team will reflect whether those guys have recovered or not.

"I've got a good, big squad, and I'm not going to risk anybody with a busy period coming up over Easter."

Kear admitted to being impressed by how Doncaster have taken to life in the Kingstone Press Championship.

He said: "They've adapted really well. In Goulding, Fawcett and Cooke they've got three very good playmakers, their forward pack is very strong, and they have a very good kicking game in Cooke and Goulding.

"They'll be a real challenge, especially at their place, but we're looking forward to going to the Keepmoat. It's a great a stadium that lends itself to playing good rugby."

[url=https://twitter.com/doncaster_rlfc#COYD[/url

Last 4 Meetings

19th July 2009: Batley Bulldogs win 56-12 at Mount Pleasant
21st June 2009: Batley Bulldogs win 70-6 at Keepmoat Stadium
12th August 2007: Batley Bulldogs win 26-12 at Mount Pleasant
3rd June 2007: Batley Bulldogs win 48-14 at Keepmoat Stadium

Match Day Admission

Polite notice: please purchase your match day ticket from the stadium's ticket office before entering the turnstiles.

Adults £15, concessions £12, juniors (5-16) £3 and under 5's go free. Call the ticket office on 01302 762576 if you require more information.

Referee

Tim Roby

Danny Cowling is the sole representative of the dual registration system.
Nuff said, it's working well for us.

Wonder if Butterfield , Leaf & Broughton are in the squad.
Players available ?

Butterfield
Sanderson
Leaf
Cowling
waterman
Tuffour

Cooke
Fawcett

Castle ? fitness test
Waller
Broughton
johnson on loan from huddersfield

Kesik

Robinson
Kelly
Spurr

Edwards

Emmett
Powley

in my opinion get butts at full back move waterman to centre thats were he got 30 odd tries from he has scored about half a dozen at full back and we need tries plus cook at stand off fawcett at scum half and have powely come off the bench thats it job done 3points

Yes would like to see Waterman back at centre for sure, that's where he's most effective. Tony Miller seems to prefer him over Butts at full back, this could be the game that forces his hand to bring him back , we shall see.