Rochdale Hornets 16 Doncaster 26: Spurr hat-trick earns Doncaster away points

Centre Chris Spurr notched a hat-trick of tries as the Dons gained sweet revenge for a 24-8 home by the Lancashire side at home in early April.

Hornets opened the scoring on 13 minutes when prop John Cookson crossed from close range, converted by Paul Crook.

Hornets increased their lead when centre Dale Bloomfield capitalised on a mistake by winger Gareth Potts to touch down.

The Dons hit back when Spurr breached the Hornets’ line to score under the posts for a try converted by Scott Spaven,

The Dons suffered a blow on 25 minutes when stand-off Craig Fawcett was stretchered off with a leg injury, but hit back with a converted Spurr try to lead12-10.

Carl Hughes broke free of Craig Ashall’s tackle for a converted try, but Ashall more than made up for his mistake with a superb individual 40 metre try, goaled by Crook.

Scott and full-back Mick Butterfield were both held inches short in quick succession before centre Nev Morrison dummied his way into space to score in the corner on 72 minutes. Spaven missed the conversion.

Hornets rallied strongly but Spurr dashed their hopes of a draw with his third try at the death.

Rochdale: English, Johnson, Bloomfield, Yates, Saywell, Crook, Roper, Cookson, McGovern, Mervill, Samuel, Hobson, Ashall. Substitutes: Ekis, Newton, Bowman, Peasnall.

Doncaster: Butterfield, Potts, Morrison, Spurr, Coady, Spaven, Fawcett, Scott, Ely, Dee, Robinson, Edwards. Emmett. Substitutes: Kesik, Carbutt, Crawley, C Hughes.

Referee: W Turley (RFL).