Doncaster Rugby Club

Sedgley Park 6 Doncaster Knights 48

Knights go top of the league!

The Knights demolition of Sedgley Tigers took them to the dizzy heights at the top of the National One league table for their highest ever league position, and after opening the season with two bonus point wins they look as though they could be a handful for anyone in the division. On a lovely sunny afternoon, the Knights pack was completely in control of the sets and loose play but only played with any real intensity in the opening stages of each half, securing early tries in both. The Tigers pack folded under any pressure and one wag in the crowd renamed the Tigers as the Lambs as the slaughter continued without any real evidence that the Knights were doing anything other than the minimum required.

The pattern of the game was set from the start as the Knights camped in the home ’22, forced defensive penalty advantages that almost succeeded before a close in series of pick and drives saw Jason Forster forced over for the first score on five minutes. It was high intensity action that bode ill for the hosts. Mark Woodrow had the easiest of conversions. On the two occasions that Sedgley did get into the Knights half in the first quarter, penalties were carelessly conceded and Phil Jones, having missed a sighter, then slotted two long range kicks but in between Woodrow got one of his own and at 6-10 the hosts were still in the game – but only just. The Knights asserted themselves and should have scored when an overlap on the right was spurned, but shortly afterwards a five metre attacking scrum saw Glen Wilson drive to within inches before quick recycled ball saw Woodrow dart through a gap to touch down. Two further opportunities were lost to careless knocks on as the scoreboard operator stood ready to record the Knights further progress but nothing came, not even in stoppage time when another fast move to the right ended with a forward pass when the try seemed inevitable. One was left wondering at the break just how the lead was as little as 6-15.

From the restart the intensity and focus returned and three minutes of pressure once again ended with Forster driving over for a second try, and his fourth in just two matches. Shortly after, Paul Bailey finally showed what he can do with a lovely break up the left, a cut back inside and an offload to the supporting Ben Jones for the try of the day. And almost before we had drawn breath, another try! Sedgley were conceding penalties under pressure and fortunate not to be seeing yellow. One kick to the right corner produced a classic catch and drive that saw Steve Boden credited with the score. Woodrow converted two of the three tries and the Knights were suddenly out of sight at 6-34. On the hour, and as quick as practically possible in the next ten minutes, the Knights made all seven replacements and understandably the shape and cohesion that was building, went awry. But key players were rested for tougher battles ahead. Sedgley were encouraged by all this to make one big effort and for a five minute spell, were in the Knights half. The only time they remotely looked like scoring, Wes Davies covered across to make an outstanding try saving tackle, and with that Sedgley were back under the cosh. Referee Vertigan finally lost patience with them and twice sent offenders to the bin and in that period the new Knights used their advantage clinically to score twice in the closing stages. First, a demonstration of mauling skills as they drove one a full 25 metres for Simon Grainger to touch down; then another drive upfield by the pack saw Dan Cook detach and drive over. John Boden converted both and the whistle was welcome relief to the home players and spectators. Norris and Roddam, who left Doncaster for Sedgley over the summer must be wondering what they have let themselves into. It will be a long hard season at Park Lane.

Clive Griffiths typically described it as just another win. The Knights will find out at Plymouth next week just how good the two opening wins have been.

Sedgley Park: DeJagger, Roko, Craig, Briers (Koro 61), Voortman, Jones P, Leck (Albinson 56), Gazzola (Roberts 67). Roddam (Jones M 67), Evans, Swart, Norris, Newton (Bennet 46), Ponton, Jope (Skurr 46).

Doncaster: Boden J, Hunt, Bailey, Davey, Davies W, Woodrow (Benson 70), Jones (Scully 70), Bunting (List 65), Boden S (Plevey 70), Tau (Davies T 70), Kenworthy, Gross (Cook D 61), Grainger, Forster (Cook O 61), Wilson.

Referee: Andrew Vertigan (RFU)