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Sunday (15th March) saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 8’s make the short trip up the A19 to York to face both York and Otley, teams who have always loved to take on the Knights.

The Doncaster under 8’s love to throw the ball around and work the spaces on the field, so it came as no surprise to find ourselves playing on 2 of the smallest pitches we have ever come across, and against 2 teams who were going to surround the ball carrier at every opportunity and limit the Knights' game plan.

It took a few minutes to settle in, and despite the, once again, physical nature of the games, and some interesting interpretations of the laws of the game, the Knights team soon settled into their routine and some excellent strong running from player of the day, Ethan Commons, and fantastic support from the player, voted as giving the most for the team, Owain Herring, saw the boys run in some great tries and come from behind against both oppositions to take well-earned draws.

The Knights have a week of training next week, before entering the final month of the season which will see them take on strong local rivals Dinnington, play host to their own festival at the start of April before heading off on tour to play in the Scarborough international festival. Here's to a great end to the season – good luck boys !!

Doncaster Knights: Rugby blog

Sunday (8th March) dawned with a bit of sunshine, a gentle breeze and huge expectation following the Doncaster Knights' first team's win over previously undefeated neighbours, Leeds, the day before. The Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored under 8’s were to host the ‘giants’ from Hull Ionians who have always provided a tough test.

Again there were enough players for 2 teams, and despite the weather already starting to turn, there was a steely determination amongst the team, which saw them keen to get started.

Immediately, Hull came at the Doncaster Knights, and took an early lead, and what looked like control, of the game. They were running hard, if sideways, and supporting each other in a way that we usually see from the home team. Slowly but surely though, the mistakes started to creep in, and with one or two refereeing decisions going against them, Hull started to back off, and Doncaster grew in confidence.

Half time arrived at 2 tries a piece, which shows how tight the game was, and after some words from the coaches and the captain, the boys couldn’t wait to get started. The knights made a couple of changes, and suddenly they were the side supporting well, running hard and starting to score points. The curtain fell on game one with the Doncaster boys one try ahead.

For Game 2, a whole new team was introduced, led by Ben Rivers, and 10 seconds in, Hull looked to be up to old tricks as they cut through the home team to take and early lead.

The pattern was the same as the first game, with Hull controlling the game and running with determination, but as half time approached, Doncaster started to settle and put some of their own pressure on, and as in the first game, the mistakes started to come from Hull allowing the Knights to still be in the game at half time. The weather was now starting to play its part, and with several players now shivering, and everyone getting wet, the coaches made a couple of necessary changes and the game restarted. In almost a mirror of the first game, it was the Knights' turn to play the rugby, and some real determination from Thomas Colcombe and some fantastic support from Owain, Harry and Lewi eventually saw the gap created for BJ to score the winning try. The final whistle went on another epic, low-scoring encounter which saw The Knights under 8’s once again come out on top by one try.

A tough day in tough conditions which saw the Knights victorious – Well done everyone !!

Keeping the ball hidden !!

So many choices - so little time !

Sneaking past!

Ooh ooh ooh - staying alive !

Come here !!

Rugby: Doncaster Knights Under 8’s vs Selby

This week saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass® sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8’s head just up the A19 to Selby. 

Some space at last

It was an early start as Selby had some important visitors in the afternoon, but that didn’t stop us getting 2 teams onto the field. Selby are always a tough opposition, and the immediate physical nature of this game showed today would be no exception. 

Charge

During training, the boys are slowly being introduced to contact play in preparation for next season, and it is always tough to play against teams at this time of the season as, inevitably, some of these new skills creep into matches. Today was going to be one of those days and, although on one pitch, we were clearly able to hold our own, on the other, we spent more time picking ourselves up off the floor than actually playing rugby. 

It's hot, it's hot, it's hot!

Once the boys settled down, they were able to work really hard and throw the ball around in their usual manner, and were unfortunately just edged out. Our other team, however, had done us proud, and lead by Ethan, who was getting his first taste of captaincy, they managed to just sneak a result. Before the second games, the coaches made some changes, and with renewed vigour, both teams set about their tasks. The determination was excellent, with both teams really driving forwards, and the results reflected that. 

Ian tries to sneak in

This was a great day for the boys, they played with a smile and enjoyment, and when our newest player, Lewi, and Harry collected the team effort award, and the smile that came from an ‘old’ head in Dan, as player of the day, showed what our team is all about. 

Almost through

The results take care of themselves, and playing as a team is what we are about, and the hard-earned draw in the second game was a result of that team ethic – well done everyone !

Has somebody dropped this?

Halftime

Back to Winning Ways !

The Doncaster Knights' winning run

A lengthy lay off over the crisp mornings of the Christmas period hasn’t stopped the Doncaster Knights' winning run. Sunday 11th January saw a tough trip to Castleford, where the boys showed some of the great passing skill they had been working on in training to earn two very tough and very muddy wins. This earned them the chance to be the first official game played in front of the new stand at their home ground – Castle Park; and despite most people preferring to stay in the warm of the bar, the boys were determined to do what they do best – ENJOY THEMSELVES.

They were faced with an enthusiastic Goole team, with the very vocal support of their coaches and supporters, but even changing the entire team at half time didn’t disrupt the flow and led, as always, by captain BJ Howe with great support from the entire the team, but especially from player of the day, Aaron Donald, and the hardest worker of them all, Ben Rivers.

They fought out a tough draw and then two hard-earned victories.

The run continues for the Miracle Drywash-backed team !!

Doncaster Knights Under 8’s - 3 out of 3!

Sponsored by Autoglass and Miracle Drywash

BJ scoring try number 5.
(He went on to add another 10 in the following game
and was awarded player of the week for his efforts.
He also scored 6 at Grimsby !!)

The squad before they went on at Headingley

We recently thrashed Grimsby; at Headingley we thrashed Guisborough and then we went to Nottingham and edged a great game by one try!!