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Doncaster preview 19/05/2005 Jim
Sunday's Coming!

St John Ellis brings his Donny Dragons to Spotland on Sunday - and if previous encounters are anything to go by it'll be a fast, physical, compelling contest.

Starting last week's win over Batley with what seemes like half the team carrying knocks, Singe will be happy to get his first choice 17 out of the tunnel - and the confirmatin that Andy Hay's knee injury isn't as bad as first feared will give him - and his pack - a huge boost.

As always, the Doncaster team is a rich cocktail of guile and raw grunt - but there's no doubt that the whole machine revolves around the half-back pairing of Graham Holroyd and Latham Tawhai.

At NL1 level, Holroyd always looks capable of creating havoc; and Tawhai has the experience and vision to give him all the space he needs to steer the Dragons' big pack around the field. With Dean O'Loughlin, Martin Ostler, Gareth Handford, Martin Moana and Lee Harland in the mix, it's a side designed to chew up the hard yards.

And don't take your eyes off full-back Ben Cockayne, who got up in the line to grab a hat-trick last week.

While Darren Shaw was rightfully happy to take a point from Fev last week, Bobbie Goulding might have been less pleased with the circumstances that surrounded it.

Undoubtedly John Hill's stupid punch when we were in total control cost us the win - but poor completion rates in both halves were a contributory factor.

But if Hornets show the same application and commitment to the cause this week, we'll embark on our six-week 'road trip' buoyed up with confidence.

With 5th place Halifax hosting Castleford; Hull KR at unbeaten Whitehaven and Doncaster just a point behind us in 6th, a win could open up a bit of daylight between Hornets and our immediate chasers and bring us within a point of third place. In a tight division with little margin for error, these are games you simply have to win.

Hornets' fans were superb at Post Office Road last week - and we need every last ounce of passion this wek too. There's absolutely no doubt that the fans' commitmewnt to the cause visibly lifts the players - and we need everyone at the club to give 100% this week as we work for a vital win.

With six cashflow-sapping weeks away from Spotland, we need to back Bobbie's Lads in numbers this week - so if you've thought about bringing a mate or two to a game - this would be a good one to start with.

With both teams coached by blokes who hate to lose, games against Doncaster are always close, exciting and full of passion. And this one will be no different. There's a great game in prospect - so we'll see you all at Spotland on Sunday. You'd be mad to miss it.

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