York City Knights 12 Doncaster 24: Cooke pulls strings as Dons edge out York

A quality performance in both defence and attack saw Doncaster run in five tries and deservedly move into the next round of the Northern Rail Cup.

York had gained an early lead after a superb kick from Simon Brown created indecision between Mick Butterfield and Stu Sanderson for Ben Johnston to strip the ball and scamper through to score with Brown adding the extras.

But with Paul Cooke pulling the strings as always the Dons quickly levelled with Chris Spurr’s quality offload seeing Liam Kay crash over.

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This was the signal for Doncaster to dominate territorially and the visitors’ Kyle Kesik did not spurn an opportunity to squirrel over the line from acting half before Kay scored again from Kesik’s pass.

But with the half-time hooter imminent York temporarily redeemed themselves as again Brown’s chip-kick caused panic in the Dons’ line with Sam Scott collecting to feed Jonny Presley who stormed through a confused defence to score.

Doncaster scrum-half Craig Fawcett positively revelled during the second period.

After Dennis Tuffour’s early touch-down was ruled out for a forward pass the winger showed greater determination than Jason Crookes to chase Fawcett’s kick to again touch down but this time the points were on the scoreboard.

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York became increasing ragged in their play and after another try from Craig Robinson was ruled out Kesik weaved through the defence and when finally halted threw out a long hopeful pass for Kyle Trout to score.

York City Knights: Shaul, Elliott, Ford, Briscoe, Crookes, Brown, Johnston, Potter, Lee, Aldous, Kent, Lyons, Scott. Substitutes: Presley, Smith, Mallinder, Stenchion

Doncaster: Butterfield, Sanderson, Cowling, Kay, Tuffour, Cooke, Fawcett, Castle, Kesik, Trout, Kelly, Spurr, Emmett. Substitutes: Powley, Scott, Carbutt, Robinson.

Referee: R Laughton (RFL).

England international Adrian Morley helped Swinton reach the last eight thanks to a 26-18 win over North Wales Crusaders at Leigh Sports Village.