Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Doncaster v Whitehaven

Bottom club Doncaster suffered another heavy defeat at Featherstone Rovers last week.

Coach Gary Thornton said: “I thought we started really brightly against Featherstone. We took the lead and it was only 16-4 after 30 minutes but we make some poor decisions at times that are costing us heavily. 

“For a team that’s lost 18 on the bounce, once we go a couple of scores behind, the confidence just drains out of them – that’s the issue.

“We’ve got to stay in games for longer, we need to get a couple of scores away from teams and then build on that. I think if we can go set for set with teams for longer periods and take our chances when they come along we’ll be much better.

“Everybody’s going to be looking at Sunday’s game as a four-pointer and when you look at where we are, you would have to agree.

“We’re coming to a period now where we’re playing teams in and around us. As a realist you’ve got to say that if we don’t get something out of these next few games then it looks a bit gloomy for us.

“Whitehaven had a very good win against Batley at the weekend which has pushed them out of the relegation zone. This is going to be another tough encounter for us.

“They’ll be confident and we’ve got to make sure we start well and try and get a lead we can defend rather than having to chase games all the time.”

Second row Steve Snitch returns and there’s a possibility that fellow second row Mike Kelly might be available.

Following last week’s win over Batley Bulldogs, Whitehaven coach James Coyle said: “We’re building a bit of momentum. This week against Doncaster is probably the first time this year we’ll be going into a game as favourites. It’s a different pressure to deal with so hopefully we’ll be able to do it.

“They’re going to beat someone at some stage; we need to make sure we stick to our guns and perform well.”