REPORT | Doncaster RLFC 24-18 Sheffield Eagles
24/08/2026
Written by Spencer Arnold
Sheffield Eagles’ final away game of the regular Betfred Championship season ended in a narrow defeat to Doncaster RLFC on Sunday afternoon.
For the trip to the Club Doncaster Sports Village, two changes were made by head coach Craig Lingard going into the South Yorkshire derby. Will Oakes returned at centre, whilst Lennie Ellis started in the halves after being recalled from his loan spell with Goole Vikings.
The hosts opened the scoring through Muizz Mustapha after only four minutes, but the Eagles quickly responded when Jordan Abdull’s well-placed kick was collected by Connor Bower, who crossed for the try, his 8th of the year.
Sheffield then moved ahead when Billy Walkley picked out a high ball and offloaded to Kieran Gill, who finished underneath the sticks to edge the Eagles ahead, but Doncaster hit back before half-time through Luis Johnson to leave the scores level at the break at 12-12.
The hosts regained the lead early in the second half as Johnson crossed for his second, but the Eagles responded again almost immediately. Greg Eden chased his own grubber, collected the ball and scored in-goal to bring Sheffield back within touching distance and level again with half an hour to go.
The last half-an-hour saw the Eagles constantly pressure the Doncaster try line, but they were forced to go behind again following Connor Robinson’s 54th minute try.
The Eagles came agonisingly close on several occasions, with attempts held up over the line, but Doncaster’s last-ditch defence stood firm to secure a hard-fought 24-18 victory.
Despite the defeat, the Eagles showed plenty of fight throughout a tense and competitive encounter.
The Eagles final game of the regular season is on Thursday evening, when we welcome Widnes Vikings to the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium (7:30pm KO).
Doncaster RLFC: Gebbie, Briscoe, Lyne, Horne, Faraimo, Aston, Robinson, Knowles, Jones, Matagi, Sutcliffe, Johnson, Mustapha
Interchanges (all used): Jones, Hepi, Boas, Whitehead
18th Man: McConnell
Tries: Mustapha (4’), Johnson (36’, 44’), Robinson (54’)
Goals: Robinson 4/4
Sheffield Eagles: Eden, Brown, Oakes, Gill, Walkley, Ellis, Abdull, Matongo, Johnson, Reilly, Bower, Bussey, Griffin
Interchanges (all used): Fitzsimmons, Butterworth, Bowes, Peachey
18th Man: Millar
Tries: Bower (13’), Gill (29’), Eden (50’)
Goals: Bower 3/3
