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| Swinton v The Dons - Match Preview |
After the disappointment of the late call-off of last weeks fixture against Championship Grand Final winners Barrow Raiders, the Dons try again to get the competative season under way with an away fixture against Swinton Lions at Sedgley Park. The Lions were due to travel to Cumbria to play Workington Town last Sunday but that fixture also fell victim to the weather so both squads will be eager to get out on the pitch this weekend.
The Swinton squad features a number of players familiar to Dons supporters, the most high-profile being former Leeds half-back Graham Holroyd who was the recipient of a 5-year contract during John Wright's Chairmanship of Doncaster RLFC. Also recognisable should be former Warrington and Widnes full back or half back Gary Hulse who spent a month on loan with the Dons during the Belle Vue era and another former loanee Sam Reay who was at the Keepmoat Stadium from Wigan in 2008 and has had subsequent spells at Leigh and Blackpool.
With former coach Paul Kidd now in the role of Director of Coaching, the Lions have recruited former Huddersfield and Halifax forward Paul Smith as player coach and signed a number of players with experience at a higher level than the Lions and Dons will be operating at this season. Forward Dana Wilson has followed Smith from Halifax, the much travelled Phil Joseph has arrived from Oldham, half back Ian Watson joins from Leigh Centurions and flying winger Gavin Dodd has been signed from Widnes. Others to watch out for are former Bradford Bull Richie Hawkyard and no-nonsense prop forward Paul Southern.
For the Dons, who this week confirmed the signing of winger Jonathan Winter who showed up well in the pre-season friendlies, there are still a few on the injured list, notably Aaron Henry who is not expected to figure until mid-March and half back Simon Brown who may yet feature in the Northern Rail Cup match against Blackpool later this month. Also targeting that date for a return to action are injured prop forwards Garry Ellery and Scott Johnson.
Doncaster Rugby League Supporters Society (Trust) sponsored utility back Shaun Leaf has answered the call to return to the Club from Rugby Union and should figure tomorrow as should half back Craig Fawcett who is available following a facial injury.
Swinton are fancied by many as live play-off contenders in Championship One this season so this should be a good test for Tony Millers young but enthusiastic squad who will hopefully be supported by a vocal following from South Yorkshire.
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| The Co-operative Championship One 2010 |
|
Team |
Pts |
+/- |
| 1 |
Hunslet |
55 |
505 |
| 2 |
Oldham |
52 |
256 |
| 3 |
York |
39 |
83 |
| 4 |
Blackpool |
38 |
430 |
| 5 |
Rochdale |
37 |
132 |
| 6 |
South Wales |
34 |
108 |
| 7 |
Workington |
33 |
-4 |
| 8 |
Swinton |
33 |
-11 |
| 9 |
Doncaster |
28 |
-70 |
| 10 |
London |
10 |
-456 |
| 11 |
Gateshead |
-2 |
-973 |
Full Table 
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| Weather |
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