THE Lancashire Wolverines chased down a spirited Doncaster Mustangs side as the Red Rose men returned to winning ways with a thumping 64-18 win at Ramsgreave Drive.

A splendid pass to Luc Kinder from quarterback David Mead opened up the defence to allow Joe Nicholson to run in his first score of the day for the Wolverines, who took charge for the majority of this Roses clash.

Doncaster responded immediately though, Ainsley Cawley reeling in a Graham Lightfoot pass and turning on the speed to race in to the end zone for six points.

But the Wolverines were ahead again almost immediately, as Doncaster kicked off, only for Stuart Robinson to return the ball all the way back for a touchdown. Opting to go for the two-point conversion, Mead used his pace to race towards the corner of the end zone, going over the pylon to successfully take the Wolverines into a 14-6 lead.

Paul Stewart picked off Lightfoot to hand his Wolverines the ball back shortly after, before Mead found his rhythm in the passing game. It would be Robinson that would score on the drive though, taking the ball in from the running back position for his second of the day, before Dave Barnett hit the successful PAT.

A Jonathan Moorhouse interception again turned over the Mustangs’ ball back to Lancashire. Mead then hit Barnett, who broke two tackles and forced his way into the end zone before kicking the extra point again to give the Wolverines a 22 point lead.

The Doncaster side had some positives, as Lightfoot repeatedly connected with receivers Cawley and Paul Weston, but it would be the Wolverines who added to their score straight after half time. John Halliwell took the ball on a reversal before thundering into the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

Things would get worse for the Mustangs as offensive lineman Gareth Burns would be ejected from the game for two unsportsmanlike conduct calls on the same play.

Nicholson pounded in for his second shortly after but the play was brought back due to a penalty.

The Wolverines would not be denied though as Mead found Barnett wide open in the corner of the end zone for the receiver’s second of the day.

A vintage defensive performance from the home side handed their offence the ball back shortly after. However the Mustangs stood up to the Wolverines well, stopping them short of scoring a touchdown. However, as Lancashire lined up to take the field goal, Mead faked it, passing on fourth down to find receiver John Halliwell for the touchdown.

Running back Dan Ledward finished a strong personal display with a touchdown of his own to take the score to 54-6 before a Barnett field goal made it 57-6 shortly after.

Mustangs’ quarterback Lightfoot found receiver Cawley again for the touchdown before excellent special teams blocking by the Wolverines saw Kinder return the kick off for a touchdown. The Doncaster team would add a final score before the final whistle, with Lightfoot and Cawley both getting their third of the day, taking the tally to Lancashire Wolverines 64-18 Doncaster Mustangs.

The Wolverines head to Coventry in a fortnight, then to Nottingham before returning home to Blackburn RUFC to face the Gateshead Senators on August, 3.