This was a perfromance of consummate completeness: deft with ball in hand and watertight on defence, from the moment Tommy Goulden carved open the Lakers' defence with a neatly smugggled ball to Matt Firth on 15 minutes - only for it to be called forward - there was only going to be one winner. Indeed, with Doncaster players walking to the scrum, it was obvious that the home side were struggling to match Hornets' pace and power.

Injuries to Richard Varkulis (face) and Dave Mc Connell (ankle) forced an early reshuffle, but replacements Phil Cantillon and Paul Anderson slotted seamlessly into the action as Hornets established their dominance. Aided by a referee so one-eyed, one suspected he'd make an excellent pirate, Doncaster thudded aimlessly into the Hornets defence with increasing impotence and, with just 20 minutes gone, the vociferous Hornets support suspected - correctly - that the lakers had shot their bolt.

Bored with watching Graham Holroyd steer his side in ever decreasingly effective circles, Hornets steamed the ball upfield, where Sam Butterworth ghosted through a static defence to give Hornets the lead. Mark McCully converted.

Three minutes later Hornets were in again: Chris Giles capitalising on a Matt Firth kick through, Mark McCully converting superbly from wide out.

Just before the break, Matt Firth unzipped the Lakers' defence and his pass sent Lee 'Pogo' Patterson in. Half time 16-nil to Hornets and the game rapidly accelerating away from Doncaster.

Indeed, the Lakers only plan to stem the tide in the second half was to niggle and spoil at every opportunity. On 55 minutes this rudimentary tactic saw Newlove dispatched to the sin-bin; McCully dispatching the penalty with ease. Two minutes later Doncaster transgressed again. The outcome was the same.

On the hour, good hands at pace fed Mark McCully into enough space for him to skate in for a deserved try.

Doncaster's desperation grew; and with lard-arsed prop Gareth Handford reduced to rappling with John Hill after the tackle, Hill exacted retribution in a flurry of punches that saw both players sent to cool off for ten minutes. It was Doncaster's last meaningful contribution to the game and they visibly deflated as McCully banged over the penalty.

Three tries in the last nine minutes provided the coup de grace that sent the home fans rushing for the exits. First, Phil Cantillon backing up some neat passing in traffic to grab his try; then Paul Anderson exploiting a huge hole in the defence to cross the line - then run 20 metres to plant the ball under the posts; and finally, a delicious chip from Sam Butterworth, the bounce perfectly timed by Chris Giles. 44-nil. That's nil, ladies and gentlemen: nothing, ne rien, nul, de nada, zilch!

Despite Doncaster's rabid ambition and profligate expenditure, on the day, they were simply ouclassed and out-enthused by a tean that's looking increasingly solid in defence. But Hornets aren't just a tackling machine. On attack, Hornets were fluid, slick and pacy: driven round the park in style by Sam Butterworth who, arguably, had his best game in a Hornets jersey.

Ultimatley, it was the complete Hornets perfromance. Free scoring on attack, impermeable on defence, tough as teak and very, very well organised.

A mention too for the travelling Hornets support. While they may not be huge in number, there are few groups of fans as vocal - and their efforts on behalf of their team are worthy of credit.