The Knights have been receiving some well needed treatment from Osteopath Alex Jones.

Alex started helping out current Knights Head of Medical Services Lindsay Whitaker last pre-season and is continue this coming campaign.

With an interest in manual therapy since he was young, as he played rugby in Doncaster from the age of 8, the club is his first major long term club that he has worked with and is delighted to keep helping the Knights.

“Treating the players is always rewarding, I get to see them able to get out and play at the weekend and train is always good, even if it’s more of a workout for me with the front row been the regular visitors.”

“It had always been an aim from a young age and has been nice to continue my profession into some aspect of sports as well as seeing the general public’s day to day pains and injuries.”

If you need treatment, Alex can be found at parkerandjonesmanualtherapy.co.uk

Long standing Knights fan Chris Gryzelka is trying to track down the families of the Doncaster RUFC players that died in WW1.

Currently in the Landsdowne suite there is a board in tribute of those fallen Doncaster RUFC players that gave their lives for their country. 

We would like to honour the fallen by bringing their surviving relatives back to Doncaster to see how they have been honoured by the club they once represented on the rugby pitch. 

In 2014, we remembered those that never returned from WW1 with a minute silence along with cadets in a parade, before a game against London Scottish.

Following that, the picture frame was put up inside Castle Park, and former player and ex-soldier Chris was inspired by a recent visit to Derbyshire. 

“I went to an event with my wife, and there was a stall about cricketers who had died in the war.

They had traced some of the families and we thought that we should be doing something like that.

“So that’s what we’re now hoping to do. We want to trace the surviving relatives and invite them here for a meal before the nearest match to the anniversary of the war, November 11.”

We have managed to trace the names of those who had died by looking back at historical rugby publications. The names of all those who were killed, were published in the 1919 Yorkshire Handbook, printed with details of local rugby clubs after the war.

Doncaster Knights commercial manager Michael Casey is helping the project.

“The pictures attract quite a bit of interest. People take a moment to read it, and stop and look at the photos. People are intrigued.

“I am a long way separated from that time. I’ve never been in the military and it is hard to process the sacrifice those men made. The pictures bring what happened all those years ago closer to home. 

“The faces make it more real. The fashions are different – you don’t get many moustaches these days. But you can see they were just young men with a boyish innocence asked to go beyond what we ask people to do nowadays.”

The relatives that the club is able to trace will be invited to Castle Park, to a lunch and to watch the Knights play Coventry on November 10, 2018.

Contact mcasey@castle-park.co.uk if you are related to one of the soldiers on the memorial. Details of the club members killed during the war vary are below.

Details of regiments and batallions, places and dates of death. 

The names are:  Abbiss, RD;  2nd Lt, 2nd Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, died of wounds,  December 2, 1917

Cook Percy,  L/Cpl 15th West Yorkshire Rifles, (Leeds Pals) died at the Battle of the Somme , July 1, 1917

Roberts GH, Capt 2/4th, KOYLI, died of wounds 22 November,  1917

Walker Anthony,  T Lt, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade, killed in action, Hooge, Flanders, July 30, 1915

Hemingway James,  2nd Lt, Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action, May 9, 1915

Sharp Steve Oswald,  2nd Lt,  York and Lancaster Regiment, killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme, at Serre, July 1, 1916

Walker John Wickham,  Capt 5th KOYLI,  killed in action,  Thiepval,  Battle of the Somme, July 5, 1916

Bradley W,  Cpl,  1/6th KOYLI, killed in action, the Somme, around September 1, 1918

Ogley,  Sgt,  6th KOYLI,  killed at Ypres September 7, 1915 Tucker Alf,  Capt,  KOYLI, killed in action, 1915

Wills AN,  Capt,  5th KOYLI, died of wounds received at Ypres on March 7 1918

Comrie J,  Lt

Grey D,  Lt

Howson F,  Sgt MM

McQuire R,  Lt

 Russell, Lt

Whitehead.

Castle Park will host a Quilter Series Autumn International match on Sunday November 18th between England Women and Canada women.

The Red Roses last played this year at the Six Nations, as they finished runners-up after losing just once. In the most narrowest of defeats in round 4, France overcame England by a single point in a 18-17 loss.

The women side will be involved in three Quilter Internationals, firstly against the USA side at the Allianz stadium, before we welcome the side to Castle Park a week later. Their last international of the month will be against Ireland on the 24^th November.

The fixture will be live on EnglandRugby.com and will be the first women’s international to be held in Yorkshire.

Doncaster Knights Chief Executive Tony De Mulder is delighted Castle Park will play host to the England Women’s International fixture.

“It is a great honour for us at Castle Park and Doncaster Knights, we’re so proud of our stadium and the facilities we have here, it will be a great occasion for South Yorkshire that an international rugby fixture is going to be played here.”

With the Doncaster Demons, the local women’s that play their home matches at Castle Park, Tony is hopeful it’ll put the spotlight on the sport. “

We’ve got a Women’s rugby programme that involves schools, our own team the Doncaster Demons as well as Yorkshire Women, who train at Castle Park, so it will bring a spotlight to Women’s rugby for the good people of South Yorkshire.

It is the fastest growing sport in the UK and if we can be a part of that and encourage our local girls and women to take up the sport, that would be great and hopefully there can be a good turnout to cheer on our national women’s side in November.”

RFU Director of Professional Rugby Nigel Melville said: “This is an excellent opportunity to take the Red Roses to new audiences. Allianz Park has already proven itself a first class venue while we are really excited to work with Castle Park and Doncaster Council to deliver a world class international in front of a big crowd.”

CLICK TO BUY TICKETS

Tickets will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for Juniors and are available through our website. It is a first come first served for seated tickets. 

You can take advantage of additional savings and enjoy a delicious pre-match meal by booking on to our Castle Park family lunch for just £20 adults & £15 children, including match day ticket; see menu below. 

Arms Park Suite Family Lunch

This package includes a delicious 2 course pre-match lunch and tickets for each member of your party to watch the international match from the Arms Park balcony or Terrace areas.

£20 per adult

£15 per child

Adult Menu

Castle Park’s Famous Cow Pie served with Mushy Peas and Lashings of Gravy, Followed by a Seasonal Dessert

Children’s Menu

Chicken Goujons, Chips & Peas, Followed by a Character Ice Cream

The Knights start their Championship season with a long trip down to Penzance to face Cornish Pirates on Sunday.

Last time out in Cornwall, it was a victory for the home side as the Knights were leading with 20 minutes to go. However, in the mud bath of a game, two tries, one in the dying embers of the game swung the balance and therefore the four points to the Pirates.

Unfortunately for the Knights, it was two defeats last season against the Pirates. A 29-46 loss compounded the task the Knights now have to win at the Mennaye Fied stadium. 

The last away victory in Penzance for Clive Griffiths’ side came in 2015/16 with a 19-26 win in February of that season.

Cornish Pirates have strengthened over the summer with the addition of Georgian international lock Nodar Cheishvili. Arriving from French club Chambery, the 27 year-old has played 11 times for Georgia since first being capped in 2015.

Former Munster youth player Rory Parata also signed for the Pirates from Italian Pro14 side Zebre, while Kiwi centre Jordan Payne joined from Japanese side NEC Green Rockets, 

Knights 15. Cowell 14. McColl 13.Hayes 12. Matavesi 11. Lewis 10. Foley 9. James 1. Hislop 2. Hunter 3. Quigley 4. Challinor 5. Civetta 6. Eames 7. Hills (c) 8. Ryan

Replacements: 16. Langdon 17. Williams 18. Sproston 19. Calladine 20. Morath 21. Dawson 22. Clark 

The Knights played their last pre-season match in their new home kit, which is now on sale at the Castle Park club shop only.

The supporters jersey is priced at £50 for adults and £45 for juniors. While the profit performance shirts are priced at £60 for adults.

There is also a 10% discount for season tickets holders.

If you’re looking to purchase the new home or away kit from the club shop, it is open 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday.

All kit will be available online soon.

Captain Michael Hills is determined to look at the positives from pre-season and Saturdays defeat by looking to improve ahead of the Championship opener on Sunday.

The Knights lost 26-47 to Newcastle Falcons ahead of facing Cornish Pirates in five days time. However, Michael was pleased with some aspects of the weekends performance, “ the first 10,15,20 minutes were very good, we got through our line out structure well and scored some great tries.”

We talked all week about getting a good start and I definitely think we got that, we put pressure on them and capitalised on their mistakes, then the tide seemed to turn, so as a group were very disappointed with that after going 14-0 up.”

Two quick tries from Lloyd Hayes and Morgan Eames gave the Knights an early lead, but were pinned back in the second half by a Falcons’ fightback.

Michael spoke of the improvement needed ahead of the next game. “We have got to improve as we know what Cornish Pirates can bring to the table, they’ve got a very big pack, it’ll be a tough battle down there as it always is.”

The 33 year-old is about to enter his sixth season with the Knights and is excited to get the Championship campaign underway. “We’re all excited for the league to start, saturday was a damper but we’re be ready to go through the week, be positive and improve on the training ground and put things right next weekend.”

Despite an early dominance, the Knights ended their pre-season in defeat on saturday.

Newcastle Falcons came away with 47-27 victory, but were made to work for it, especially in the first half.

The Knights started the game in fine fashion scoring a try after just two minutes. Lloyd Hayes was on the end of a quick offload from Morgan Eames in the Falcons 22, after Steve McColl had superbly intercepted a pass.

The early dominance continued with Eames this time scoring, as the flanker picked up the ball from a maul, after McColl had again used his pace and ran deep into the visitors’ half.

At 14-0 up with two successful conversions from Charlie Foley, the Knights were soon given a reminder of the battle they had on their hands to win the game. The Premiership side soon woke up and took the initiative for the rest of the half.

Two tries within five minutes, both converted by Brett Connon, swung the balance of play in the visitors favour with the half way mark of the first half gone to make the score line 14-14.

Newcastle continued to attack and gained confidence in their play as Ben Stevenson broke the Knights defence, before offloading to Jamie Blamire to dot down and give the visitors the lead.

However, the north east side were given a reminder it would not be all plain sailing. Eames, who scored a brace of tries last week, scored his second of the afternoon. A well worked line out deep in the Falcons half was won by former Falcon Nick Civetta, he dropped it to Eames, the flanker then powered over to make it all level at half time.

The second half began unfortunately not how the first ende for those in a Donny shirt. This time powerhouse Nemani Nagusa was on the end of a offload from Zach Kibirige, who broke the line with a quick turn of pace.

The Knights continued to attack and were camped outside the Falcons’ 22, when a move broke down; allowing Stevenson to race through and score. Connon again converted to give a 19-33 lead to those in green shirts.

Stevenson, who came to life in the second half, scored his second try of the afternoon, while Nagusa again showed his strength when he grounded the ball with another try 10 minutes later to extend the visitors lead to 19-40, after Connon added the extras twice.

Former Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors winger Tom Arscott then added to the score line with only a minute to play. However, it was 18 year-old Seth Adams that gave the Knights fans the last roar, when he slide over in the dying embers to score, then convert and allow the Knights some positives heading into the Championship league opener next week at Cornish Pirates.

Knights XV: 15. C.Cowell 14. P. Jarvis 13. L.Hayes 12. J.Matavesi 11. S.McColl 10. C.Foley 9. R.Dawson 1. R.List 2. B.Hunter 3. C.Quigley 4. M.Challinor 5. N.Civetta 6. M.Eames 7. M.Hills 8. W.Ryan

Replacements: H.Seniloli, T.James, S.Adams, K.Morath, E.Creed, M.Clark, D.Flockhart, T.Lewis, C.Langdon (dual reg), R.Hislop, T.Williams, J.Sproston, T.Hicks, S.Jones, T.Calladine, R.Kay(trialist)

Tries: Eames 2, Hayes, Adams   Conversions: Foley 2, Adams

Newcastle Falcons XV: 15. Arscott 14. Wacokecoke 13. Stevenson 12. Waldouck 11. Kibirige 10. Connon 9. Elliott 1. Davison 2. Blamire 3. Williams 4. Montgomery 5. Graham 6. Marshall 7. Collett 8. Nagusa

Replacements: Dawson (2^nd half), Matavesi (2^nd half), Clarke, Marshall, Pascoe, Wilson

Tries : Tries: Zach Kibirige, Connor Collett, Jamie Blamire, Nemani Nagusa, Ben Stevenson 2, Tom Arscott. Conversions: Brett Connon 6.

Referee: John Meridith Attendance: 745

The Knights will be wearing the new home kit in tomorrow’s home friendly with Newcastle Falcons.

Revealed earlier this week at the GK IPA Championship launch by stand in captain Will Owen, the new kit will be on show for the first time at Castle Park.

The new kit’s main shirt sponsor is Energy saving company, Energy Check, who are also taking over Castle Park energy utilities. 

Also revealed today is the new away kit, the white and blue strip will be on show for the first time against Cornish Pirates next weekend in the opening match of the GK IPA Championship season.

Tickets are just £5 to support the Knights tomorrow in our last pre-season match, while season ticket holders get in for FREE!

Also on sale tomorrow are the new environementally inititaive pint cups costing just £1. They can be returned for your money back or you can keep for your next pint!

The Knights’ squad for tomorrow is: 

15. C.Cowell 14. P. Jarvis 13. L.Hayes 12. J.Matavesi 11. S.McColl 10. C.Foley 9. R.Dawson 1. R.List 2. B.Hunter 3. C.Quigley 4. M.Challinor 5. N.Civetta 6. M.Eames 7. M.Hills 8. W.Ryan

Replacements: H.Seniloli, T.James, S.Adams, K.Morath, E.Creed, M.Clark, D.Flockhart, T.Lewis, C.Langdon (dual reg), R.Hislop, T.Williams, J.Sproston, T.Hicks, S.Jones, T.Calladine, R.Kay(trialist).

 

Tom Calladine has seen his red card rescinded after a successful hearing yesterday.

The Flanker was shown a red card in last saturdays 47-21 victory over Sale FC in the 34th minute for punching an opponent.

However, after viewing available video angles and evidence from Tom and the club, the independent panel dismissed the case.

Tom is now available to play for the Knights in tomorrow’s pre-season match with Newcastle Falcons and has been named as a replacement. 

The Knights face the North East Premiership side in the last match of pre-season and you can come and support for just £5 a ticket!