Doncaster take bonus out of Cumbrian trip

Despite having Hull FC props Chris Green and Liam Watts in their ranks, Paul Cooke’s side had no answer to the Cumbrians in the first half yesterday, conceding four converted tries to leave them with a mountain to climb.

Jessie Joe Parker put the hosts ahead as early as the 10th minute, Cain Southernwood kicking the first of his four goals as Doncaster slipped to third in the table.

Lee Mitchell crossed soon after before Jordan Burns did likewise.

Scott McAvoy added a fourth try for the strugglers in the 37th minute and it was only in the final moments of the half that Doncaster responded via Tom Hodson’s first, improved by Lee Sanderson.

He added his second early in the second period only for the visitors to fumble the restart and gift Chris Taylor a swift chance to douse Doncaster’s fire.

Burns was yellow-carded for dissent and Doncaster capitalised through Lee Waterman’s try just before the hour mark with Sanderson improving to make it 28-16.

Southernwood slotted a drop-goal four minutes from time to make sure but there was late drama in the final seconds when Chris Taylor crossed to give Doncaster a bonus point.

Whitehaven: Ainscough, Burns, Taylor, Parker, Calvert, Seymour, Southernwood, Foster, Newton, Hand, Mitchell, McAvoy, Doran. Substitutes: Thorman, Marabe, Robinson, Crellin.

Doncaster: Scott, Hodson, Morrison, Waterman, Sanderson, Cooke, Wildie, Green, Spaven, Watts, Kent, Robinson, Emmett. Substitutes: Kesik, Carbutt, Starling, Spiers.

Referee: A Sweet (RFL).