Brett Davey

Brett Davey has voiced his frustration at his Knights’ 10-21 defeat to London Welsh at Castle Park.

The Knights’ attacking flair was neutralised by a well-drilled Welsh side in a tight encounter and they managed only a penalty try as the visitors touched down twice in the second half.

“I am frustrated at our performance – we lacked composure at key moments and our set pieces didn’t go to plan. We had chances to win the game but we gifted them tries, which is something we have done a lot of this season.”

Davey did credit his side with significantly improving their defensive play and reducing their error count:-

“We were solid defensively in the first half but we didn’t finish our chances and they broke us down in the end. We didn’t play our own game and I have to start thinking about whether we need to be more confrontational.”

The DOR admitted that he is concerned that his side have yet to beat a team in the top half of the Championship table as the club approach a crucial stage in their season.

“There’s an awful lot to take from the game. We are still a creative attacking side, but it is annoying that we haven’t beaten a top side yet. This needs to be addressed. However I did feel our performance displayed our team ethic – all players worked hard and nobody really stood out.”

Prolific winger Michael Keating sustained a shoulder injury during the game, and although the extent of the damage is not yet known Davey admitted that his young Irishman’s fitness was a ‘concern’.

Next weekend’s British and Irish Cup fixture away to Ulster will see several squad changes, and Davey has billed the match as an ‘opportunity for players to state their case to keep the jersey.’