Doncaster Rugby Club

The Knights gave the Falcons quite a game at a decidedly chilly Kingston Park, and although going down four tries to two, came away highly encouraged by their performance against a Falcons outfit at full strength except for their England interbnational foursome.

The Knights gave game time to 28 of the squad (onloy JOnes, Storey, Cannon, Young, Planchant and Gross were absent) which meant that the travelleing supporters got first sight of five of the summer's new boys - all of whom impressed.

The first half saw a last years' line up play the opening 40 minutes. For the opening 10 minutes it looked like they would be swamped as the Falcons camped close to the visitors' goal line but determined defence and penalties conceded kept the home side off the scoreboard until finally they got into the Falcons half. Indeed two chances came their way, both lost to knocks on close to goal, before Falcons flanker Brent Wilson finished off an overlap to score the opening try on 17 mins. Tom May added a second on the half hour coutesy of some poor tackling but before the break the gap was narrowed when the pack set a powermaul maul that drove Bryn Griffiths over, and Mark Woodrow converted to make it 12-7 at the interval.

A much changed line up after the break saw the Knights start strongly - but the good work was undone when Sean Tomes, no doubt wound up by his former mates, threw a punch and sat 10 minutes in the sin bin. What had been a solid line out with Steve Boden throwing before the break now disintegrated and five were lost on our throw, gifting possession to the Falcons too often for comfort. Tom May extended the lead with a snap drop goal; and Matt Burke scored at pace after prop Joe McDonnell's burst from midfield to open the gap to 22-7 around the hour mark; but Falcons, under some pressure, were also made a man short for slowing the ball at tackle and the Knights had a period of ascendency during which the pack was strong and the backs looked slick. An attacking scrum saw a lovely backs move only fail by inches, but quick recycled ball saw Justin Bishop arrive at an angle to burst through and stretch to the line. Cerith Rees added the extras; but the 22-14 scoreline was then spoiled in the final minute when the Knights tried to run a ball out of deep defence and a poor pass gifted one last try to Hall Charlton from close range.

27-14 in the end but a very encouraging afternoon all round.