A 58-24 away win would never have been on the betting slip of any punter pre-match. But despite a Dave Scott try and a few second half consolations, Doncaster never posed a threat to a Sheffield side who are coming of age. The Dons weren’t helped by the sending off of Liam Cunnigham who, unbelievably, thought using the knee to Michael Knowles’ head was a clever thing to do. Paul Cooke admitted post match that his team were second best whilst the game was 13v13. Eddie Battye and Mitch Stringer did the hard yards for the Eagles whilst Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Menzie Yere and Michael Knowles were the pick of a very ruthless Eagles bunch.
Eddie Battye got the first score of the game, juggling a Mitch Stringer offload before planting the ball over the whitewash. Five minutes had been played when Brambani converted for 6-0. Doncaster shot themselves in the foot five minutes after Battye’s try. A Dons knock on was capitalised on by Etu Uaisele who wasn’t to be stopped on the free play. 12-0 to the Eagles after Walker converted. A superb try for the hosts was to follow, a half back to watch in future years Richard Wilkinson really did the damage. Wilkinson weaved his way past Knowles who was on the deck after slipping, this left the half back up against QLT. He took the unselfish approach, passing to Dave Scott to get the Donny fans on their feet. The Dons couldn’t quite kick on after decreasing the Eagles lead to one converted try. Instead, Scott Turner made an exquisite break and found Patch Walker who rounded off the smooth play. Brambani added the two, 18-6 after 20 minutes.
What was to follow would be bordering on Rugby League mindlessness. Liam Cunningham completed a good tackle on Michael Knowles, but then kneed him in the head with the touch judge flagging straight away. A red card could be the only punishment for the player, more punishment would be handed out to his team on the field as the Eagles went into cruise control. The visitors scored three tries in a seven minute period which put the game beyond doubt. Menzie Yere started off the scoring on the 33rd minute with a typical Yere finish, too strong for the isolated defender. Matty Garside got the second of the three tries, making the most of QLT’s good work after the Samoan picked up a great offload from the floor. The best try was saved till last, a ridiculously good running move summed up the Eagles’ half, everything went just perfectly. The ball went through five pairs of hands, the fifth being Scott Turner’s who finished the slick move with aplomb. Brambani converted two out of the three tries to make the half time score 34-6 to the Sheffield side.
Scott Turner scored the unrivalled try of the game just before half time.
The good work done by the Eagles outfit in the first half would be automatically worked on. Getting the ball back from kickoff helped the cause, two tackles and an outrageous Kyle Briggs dummy later and the former Dons player had scored within a minute of the restart. Brambani converted, as he would two minutes later when QLT scored after top work by Briggs and Garside. 46-6 the score after 43 minutes. The game would then go rather quiet with errors creeping into both sides games. Doncaster would score just short of the hour through Scott Spaven. Comedic shouts of ‘Easy Easy’ came from the Donny fans, trying to enjoy the day as much as possible. 46-12 to the hosts with 20 minutes remaining.
Two minutes after the Spaven score, QLT would score, the Samoan supporting the PNG powerhouse Yere as the centre broke the Doncaster defensive line once more. Briggs converted for 52-12. Some Eddie Battye-esque juggling would then occur on the 65th minute, Duane Straugheir gaining the same result as his prop forward team mate. A try for the former York centre was exactly what he deserved after another high quality performance. 58-12 after Briggs added the extras. The Eagles wouldn’t quite get 60 up, remaining scoreless for the remainder of the game whilst the Dons registered two tries. Tom Hodson touched down after a great solo effort from the former Featherstone Rover. The second Donny try was scored by Mike Emmett who strolled through the complacent Eagles defensive line. Two Sanderson conversions made the final score 58-24 to the Eagles, who are now 80 minutes away from a fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance.
DFSports97 
Would have been a closer game if Knowles who punched Cunningham first (I was close to the pitch and saw it all) was rightly sent off as well and forward pass for the 3rd try given. Does not mention that in your report. Also what was Keith Senior doing making a complete arse of himself on the pitch second half. No need for him to be there. Ref and line judges who had extremely poor games not strong enough to stand up to him. Having said all that Eagles played extremely well and fully deserved the win. Pace and power was awesome. Injurys and small squad ended fantastic season for the Dons. We will be bigger and even better next season
Thanks for your feedback Chris. I was updating a Twitter feed, looked up and saw Cunningham make contact with Knowles’ head, first glance looked a kick but heard it was the knee from Donny fans on the forum. Have to admit Knozza’s got a short fuse at times so wouldn’t have surprised me to see him walk. Guess it just wasn’t to be for your lads in the game with some 50/50’s not going your way either. Great season for you guys and under Cookie you’ll only get better. All the best to you pal.
Chris,
As there are cameras in use at both sides of the ground perhaps you can ascertain if your accusation is correct? At this moment in time neither the player,Paul Cooke,or the paid,professional officials have indicated that it is true.
I think you may be mistaken but I must confess to NOT seeing the incident as I was still screaming my indignation at Q being taken out off the ball – all this happening in a brief moment of time when it appeared that your players knew the game was lost.
The sending off spoilt it a little for me.
With the lack of discipline of the Leigh players this year – do they really have more cards than any other Championship team? – I am saddened and surprised that 2 coaches up for coach of the year are Cooke and Rowley and Mark Aston and the Sheffield club do not feature.
It is not a very fair world and to impugn Michael Knowles,a very honest and disciplined player,is most unfair.
Knozza does have his moments of madness on occasions but I only saw Cunningham do what he did. Mark’s never been the RFL’s friend so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s not in. The champion club did finish 5th after all, an outsider looking in would see that as a failure but we’ve had a lot of turbulence with the ground so it’s justified.