Doncaster Knights

5 games into the promotion playoffs for a place in the Guinness Premiership and Doncaster Knights despite injury, bad luck and tough results are still standing with a chance of a second semi final.

Never ones to do anything the easy way, Doncaster went into round five of the playoffs with a must win game to keep themselves in it, and produced the result once again when it truly mattered. With popular opinion giving very little chance to the men from Castle Park all they could do was go out and give what they had left in them on the field. Once again the Knights proved that although they can be down, judge them as out at your own peril.

The Knights began their Third campaign of the season on 30th March, their first stage league and British and Irish Cup Campaigns seeing them qualify for a promotion pool and semi final respectively. Away at London Welsh the Knights seemed out of sorts, barely threatening the in first half and although the rugby picked up in the second the capital side deservedly came away with the points.

27 March at Castle Park Lynn Howells men scored the first half of their playoff 50 points against Nottingham. Armitage and Goss scored impressive tries but were usurped for try of the game by flanker Simon Grainger, who orchestrated the cheekiest of pushover tries that could only be described as “up the jumper” rugby. He made it over the whitewash, but even video evidence failed to pick up his travel arrangements.

The third game in the series followed the week after as Exeter visited Castle Park on the 3rd of April. Another close game followed between the two sides and a great game of rugby was the result. A last minute error of decision making saw Doncaster lose the initiative and eventually the game. Fans and players were satisfied with the performance, and looking back on the 6 game losing streak at the beginning of the RFU Championship season all concerned were happy that every effort had been made.

Round Four brought the South Yorkshire side back down to earth with a bang as an Exeter side with home advantage and a point to prove dismantled seemingly everything the Knights had rebuilt over recent months. Rather than a case of not playing well, Exeter themselves dominated the action with a top class performance that a tiring Doncaster side could not match. The loss of Michael Cusack 30 minutes before kick off meant Lynn Howells having to re-shuffle the pack without a loosehead prop contained within it. Credit went to Toma Toke for his efforts as a stand in loosehead but the game was beyond the reach of the Knights on that day.

Virtually written off, the Knight rolled into Nottingham as underdogs which has proven before to be a motivational tool for Howells. Never happier than when he isn’t expected to win, Howells marshalled what has become recognised as trademark smash and grab raid against an on form Nottingham team. The second half of the 50 points scored against Nottingham in the playoffs came courtesy of a double from Andy Wright and a gilt edged finish by Bevon Armitage. Much praise was always heaped on Dougie Flockhart who stepped up to take on penalty kicking duties for the yellow carded Brooks and scored two from two attempts.

The playoffs continue after a short break for the small concern of the British and Irish Cup semi final. 1st of May London Welsh visit Castle Park for a 3pm Kick off which is once again make or break for the Doncaster Knights. With the League standing as it is the formula is a simple one, win by 15 points or gain a bonus point win and a second semi final is within reach. Exeter must also defeat Nottingham for this permutation to take effect, but the Knights challenge is set in stone as must win well to keep in with a chance.