Doncaster Knights 12 Plymouth Albion 8
In perfect playing conditions, the “match of the day” lived up to its mouth watering expectation as two committed packs fought out an attritional contest that had the connoisseurs in the good crowd purring with delight. It was one of those old fashioned encounters that one couldn’t take the eye off for a moment. Clive Griffiths had preferred Ollie Cook to Simon Grainger to give the pack that little bit extra height and weight as this key clash was always going to be decided up front.
Albion had started strongly, camped in home territory for the opening five minutes, but found the defence well up to the task. When the siege was finally lifted, Kewi Fisilau high tackled Anthony Carter and saw immediate yellow for his effort. The extra man allowed the Knights to exert pressure of their own but all they could get from an equally solid Albion defence was a Mark Woodrow penalty for midfield offside. The lead was doubled with a Woodrow drop goal before Wihan Neethling struck a penalty when a maul was collapsed to get three back but this was quickly cancelled by Woodrow’s third when Albion killed the ball after a darting run by Ben Jones. The Knights enjoyed the majority of possession and territory in the half but several times, injecting pace and width into the attacks – and a 6-1 penalty count in their favour - mishandled at critical moments so see chances disappear.
After the break Albion came out on fire and laid siege to the home ’22 for 12 long minutes. Nic Sestaret came closest to breaking the Knights’ defence but aggressive tackling kept denying Albion the breakthrough they threatened and when they were finally penalised for midfield obstruction, the siege was lifted. Jones, having a lively game behind his big pack, made a wonderful weaving break up field before his half back partner Woodrow – having arguably his best game of the season as he varied play and bossed the match – tried to chip the defence. The kick was charged down but fell to a Plymouth player in front offside who was penalised to give Woodrow three more points and the Knights a critical nine point lead as the hour approached. Another penalty ten minutes later in kickable range was instead put to the corner and a huge maul seemed to see Jason Foster score but referee Beddow judged there to be an Albion arm under the ball and went to the 5 metre scrum, from which yet another knock on spoiled the chance. The Knights did have more chances to kill the game but failed to capitalise on several good attacking positions as the visitors’ defence tackled everything that moved (and some that didn’t); and Albion were always looking for the score that would at least win a bonus point. It made for compelling viewing and, unlike at Twickenham, not a person left their seat early! It was a huge game for both clubs and the Knights did give the impression of wanting it just that bit more to avenge the earlier 14-13 defeat at Plymouth. The home effort late on was typified by Dan Cook going on a long charge up the left, and into the middle, bursting tackles as he steamed on to set up a great chance but once again the Knights knocked on and opportunity was lost. The last word went to Plymouth. First they found space on the right and only a Spencer Davey interception kept them at bay but, deep in stoppage time, the ball was crucially not put out of play. Albion worked the ball across to the left where Nat Saumi beat the despairing Wes Davies near half way and had a stroll unopposed down the touchline to score the only try of the afternoon with the last action of the game. A bonus point gained in defeat that could well prove vital later in the season; but for the Knights it was a big and deserved win, now seven on the trot, and their first against top four opposition. Next Sunday a trip to Meadow Lane to take on Nottingham before Rotherham come to castle Park on Saturday 23rd. Tickets for that one are already selling fast and a capacity crowd looks a real possibility.
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Doncaster: Carter, Davies, Hunt (Davey 55), Cannon, Van Vuuren, Woodrow, Jones (Scully 70), Bunting, Boden (Phillips 74), Rawson (Tau 58), Gross, Kenworthy (Cook D 68), Cook O, Forster (Grainger 68), Earnshaw.
Plymouth: Neethling (Saumi 74), Arscott, Van Eyk, Fisilau (Vaenuku 76), Sestaret, Barnes, Lewsey (Cane 74), Rice, Oxley (Owen 65), Zimmerman (Desformes 55), Stewarty, Hayes, Genoud, Thomas, Lowrie.
Referee: T. Beddow (RFU) |
