Cooke shows Super League class as Doncaster see off Workington

The top-three clash was tremendously hard-fought in the first quarter but the Cumbrians were just unable to sustain the pace set by the home side.

Doncaster were relentless as they played the game at a high tempo in defence and attack led superbly by captain Craig Robinson.

The second row forward opened the scoring in the third minute and was the driving force in a pack that contained several outstanding performers.

Robinson raced through a gap following a well-timed pass from Paul Cooke who was the mastermind behind Doncaster’s attacking play.

Former Super League star Cooke added the points – the first of his five goals – and then touched down himself in the 24th minute following a defence-dominated phase.

Both sides tackled superbly but Cooke sold a couple of dummies before forcing his way over the line and tagging on the conversion.

Cooke, who numbers both Hull clubs and Wakefield as former employers, added a couple of penalties as Workington’s frustrations began to show to give Doncaster a 16-0 interval lead.

The Dons had led by a similar margin before losing at Workington in May but this time they were in no mood to let their advantage slip.

Outstanding full-back Lee Waterman dived over for his 28th try of the season early in the second half to seal victory.

Workington battled all the way and grabbed a consolation try through Peter Lupton four minutes from time but the honours belonged to Doncaster in their most impressive display of the season.

Doncaster: Waterman; Colton, Spurr, Cowling, Sanderson, Cooke, Fawcett, Castle, Kesik, O’Loughlin, Robinson, Kelly, Emmett. Substitutes: Powley, Hughes, Rowe, Spiers.

Workington Town: Carter, Miller, Mossop, Olstrum, Calderwood, Lupton, Barber, MacDonald, Mattinson, Coward, Philips, Whitehead, Stack. Substitutes: Bainbridge, Shackley, Robinson, Thackray.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL).