McClarron, recalled to the side after being dropped last week, responded with a hat-trick of tries, and Stott claimed a double whilst also bagging four from five goal conversions, giving himself a personal haul of 16 points.

Despite a solid start to this match, it was the third quarter of the game which saw Rovers home and dry. Prior to that they had played well for the opening 20 minutes, and dropped of the pace.

The opening shot saw Frank Watene issue a 'Welcome to Craven Park' warning to former coach and team-mate Andy Fisher, nailing the former Hull FC forward with a big hit. Penalties were swapped for offside, and when Doncaster strayed in the 5th minute Aussie Scott Thorburn pegged the Dragons back 50 meters with a tremendous wind-assisted kick.

Seven minutes into the game and the host took the lead. Anthony Seibold and Paul Mansson did the initial work as Craig Poucher came into the line to send over McClarron in the right corner.

Rovers continued to attack their visitors and in the 13th minute Thorburn hoisted a wicked bomb. Winger Jason Lee only managed to deflect the ball behind him as McClarron picked the ball up to dive over for a simple walk-in try. Stott added his first goal of the afternoon and Rovers led 10-0.

But the Robins couldn't maintain their form as the weather worsened in the second quarter, and just before the half-hour substitute Matt Walker came onto a Craig Lawton pass to score the Dragons first try. Graham Holroyd's conversion added to an earlier penalty left Rovers holding onto a slender 10-8 lead.

A minute later Doncaster were penalised for ball-stealing, and the play ended with Mansson crossing the try line against his former club, only to find the effort ruled out for crossing. The scores remained as the two sides left the pitch and driving snow for the interval.

Ten minutes later and the weather had changed with an outbreak of bright sunshine. And it was the host who took advantage of the improved conditions. McClarron returned to the pitch, following a head wound in the first half, after the break and it didn't take long to get the home side scoring again.

This time Mansson made the break with that typical drop of the left shoulder, drew in the defender and slipped the ball to the supporting Stott who made sure of putting the ball down close enouh to add the extras.

Four minutes later Thorburn showed he is going to be a force to be reackoned with as he set up the try of the afternoon. He produced a cheeky chip over the top which he re-gathered before finding half-back partner Mansson. The Kiwi stand-off, who looked much more like his self, handed on in turn to Stott who went in for his second try. The centre added the conversion to edge Rovers further away still at 22-8.

Substitute Phil Hasty made a 50 meter break down the right wing as the hour approached but the supporting Paul Parker was stopped 20 meters short of the line. Soon after the referee pulled up second row forward Jon Aston for an apparant professional foul, producing him the yellow card.

The deficit in numbers looked like it would prove costly when the Dragons created an overlap and Marlon Billy squeezed in at the left corner, coming off a P J Solomon pass. Holroyd failed with the extras leaving the scoreboard at 22-12.

But the issue was put beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining, Mansson made an interception on the Rovers 20 meter line from a Holroyd pass to race 70 meters up field. McClarron backed up and switched his supporting run to the inside, so that when the kiwi was slowing down a little, the winger was on hand to cross for his hat-trick. Stott again landed the goal for his forth conversion to complete his scoring feat.

To make matters worse from a Doncaster point of view, the final try was scored whilst Aston was still in the sin-bin. Before the hooter went, Hasty found himself over the line but he was pulled back for a forward pass in the build up, while McClarron went very close to claiming his forth try. The Robins finally ran out 28-12 winners.