We are excited to announce that utility back Harry Davey will be staying with Doncaster Knights for the 2023/24 season.

24-year-old Harry signed for the Knights from Championship competition Cornish Pirates ahead of the 2021/22 season. Born in Dewsbury, the Yorkshireman made the return North having originally moved to Penzance from Yorkshire Carnegie in 2019.

His time at Mennaye Field was affected by injury, but Harry still managed 10 appearances in a range of positions across the backline. A former England U18s squad member, Harry had made his senior debut for Carnegie in 2017 against London Irish.

Harry’s Donny debut came in 2021 and last season he began to excel in a strong Knights backline. Returning this year with a visible lift in confidence in his abilities, he earned his place at the start of the season before injury interrupted his campaign.

Having made 26 appearances so far, Harry is looking forward to getting back out in front of the Castle Park crowd next season.

“I’m delighted to have re-signed once more with Doncaster Knights.

“It’s been a frustrating year for fans, players, and staff but everyone at the club is ready to go again next season and challenge the top of the table.

“Thank you to all the fans who have always continued to show their support.”

Knights Head Coach Steve Boden is excited to see what more there is to come for the young back, especially in a Knight shirt.

“We’re really happy that Harry is staying on board. He brings great versatility to our backline as he can play in numerous positions. We’ve put him in a couple of new positions this year where we feel his power in contact really suits him.

“He fits into our squad really well – a great team man. He’s had a tough year through injury but testament to Harry that he bounced back and got some rugby at the back end of the season.

“We’re delighted to see him develop further in a Doncaster Knights shirt. The beauty of this signing is that we feel that Harry is starting to build up quite a bit of experience as a professional, yet he’s still relatively young, and we feel like we’ve not seen anywhere near the best of him yet.”

We are excited to see what Harry can continue to bring to the Knights badge throughout next season.

If you’d like to see Harry in action at Castle Park, be sure to purchase your season ticket HERE.

Local homebuilder, Albemarle Homes, recently held a Kings Coronation Competition with two local primary schools in Armthorpe.

The competition aimed to inspire creativity and encourage artistic expression, whilst commemorating the historic event, invited children to design and make a crown fit for the King.

Charlotte Kirk, Head of Sales for Albemarle Homes said: “The King’s Coronation is such a momentous occasion in our country’s history and we wanted to ensure local children had the opportunity to mark the event with a fun and creative competition.

“We asked children from Shaw Wood Academy and Tranmoor Primary to design and make a crown that the King would be proud to wear, and one that we would be proud to display in our Westmoor Grange sales centre, in Armthorpe over the Coronation weekend.

“There were some amazing entries, with a wide range of designs and styles, showcasing the children’s ingenuity and imagination. Our interior designer, Clare Barker, had the unenviable job of deciding the top four entries. We then asked our social community on Facebook and Instagram to vote on their overall winner.”

The competition’s top prize went to Daisy a year three pupil at Shaw Wood Academy, whose crown design was particularly impressive. Albemarle Homes’ interior designer, Clare, was captivated by the originality of Daisy’s design which intricately and creatively depicted the ceremony itself, with an effigy of King Charles III.

In addition to the overall winner, three runners up were chosen including year one pupil, Rares also from Shaw Wood, Maya year three and Zofia, year two from Tranmoor Primary School.  All runners up have received a creative art case in recognition of their outstanding designs and artistic talents, whilst the winning design also received an Amazon voucher.

Albemarle Homes, also provided the winning school with a host of decorations for them to mark the occasion with their own Coronation party.

Charlotte continued: “The Kings Coronation Competition was a huge success, and we are honoured to display the creative crown by Daisy at our sales centre, where all visitors will be able to view it.  We would like to thank the two schools for their participation and congratulate all entrants on their fabulous designs.”

Loyal supporters group the Knights of the Roundy Table [KORT] have kindly donated to our Doncaster Knights Academy.

Discussing why the KORT chose to make their annual charitable donation to the DK Academy, Bill Lowes – a key member of the KORT – explained it felt right to keep the good work in-house.

“KORT members felt that Tyson Lewis and his team have worked extremely hard over the past few years with the Academy to get them where they are now.

“And so, when asked if the Academy could use a donation, Tyson confirmed that it would help to purchase further equipment for use by the squad. At our last KORT lunch, it was put to those attending this was what we could do with the money, and it was unanimously confirmed.

“The KORT would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have attended our banquets and given generously to the raffles and wrong-handed drinking fines imposed. We hope this donation will further the Academy advancement.”

We thank the KORT members and supporters for this kind donation to the Academy.

Our U17s Colts have recently returned from a successful tour to Northern Italy which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

A welcome supper on their first evening there saw the squad needing no encouragement to get stuck into the local cuisine, which was excellent. A few songs on the bus back to the hotel rounded off a long but enjoyable day of travel.

The atmosphere at the Rugby Colorno club was brilliant with 8 teams from across Northern Italy gathering to compete in the tournament. Gathering crowds were entertained by a local DJ throughout the day as well.

Following tournament day, where the squad took 2 wins from 4 intense games, Sunday was about the team bonding as the squad headed to Parma for a go-kart track day. After a team meal at a local restaurant in the evening, the boys prepared to travel once more.

Monday brought a visit to the Ferrari museum and a training session at Benetton Rugby facility whilst Tuesday was spent sight-seeing in Venice. Wednesday was the final gameday of the tour at Villorba Rugby in the evening.

The boys returned to Doncaster after a successful tour upon which they were a credit to their club. Big thanks to Simon Drohan, Steve Mason, Steve Atkinson, Clive McCready, Andy Norburn, and James Poncia for their work in making the tour possible.

We are excited to announce that tighthead prop Andrew Foster will be staying with Doncaster Knights for the 2023/24 season.

29-year-old Andrew first joined the Knights in the summer of 2019 from Yorkshire Carnegie having made 26 appearances for the Leeds-based side.

Having previously featured for Rotherham Titans in the Championship, Andrew had also experienced National One rugby with Blaydon RFC before the Newcastle-born prop made his Premiership debut from his home-town club – Newcastle Falcons – against Saracens in April 2015.

Andrew was a mainstay of the Knights line-up last year as his performances often saw him getting the better of his direct opposition as his scrummaging was of important note throughout 2021/22. Unfortunately, injury struck early this season and kept the tighthead out for nearly 6 months.

However, the front rower – who will continually to be loyally sponsored by club partner, AGM Safety Ltd – is focused on continuing his spell at Castle Park and moving on to next season having returned at the tail end of the 2022/23 campaign.

“I am excited to be remaining a Doncaster Knight after a tough season this year and I look forward to pushing on with the club and seeing what our future can hold.”

Knights Head Coach Steve Boden is pleased to have his prop continuing at Castle Park.

“Andrew has been proven to be a consistent performer throughout the Championship. He’s had a tough year with injury and so we’re looking forward to seeing him put in some more consistent performances in Doncaster next season and hopefully get the game time on the field that he needs.

“He’s a good guy who fits into the squad really well and he’s an unbelievable team man, which is everything that Doncaster Knights wants to be associated with.”

We are excited to see what Andrew can continue to bring to the Knights badge throughout next season.

If you’d like to see Andrew in action at Castle Park, be sure to purchase your season ticket HERE.

The Doncaster Knights Mini Juniors U13s team have done fantastically to recently maintain their unbeaten run whilst competing in the Southport Rugby Festival.

Head Coach Lee Gray said: “I along with Colleen have been involved with this team since the under 7’s which is the beginning of the rugby journey starting with tag rugby. We have steadily built a team, retaining players season after season and adding to the coaching team with Dean, Stevie, Allan and Devon.

“Over the last two years being the under 12’s and under 13’s, the team has achieved two unbeaten seasons which include two tours, one to play in the Ospreys Challenge then more recently as the under 13’s to play in the sports tours Southport rugby festival.

“The team is run by dedicated volunteers and, through fundraising and sponsorship, it has been possible to take the boys not only on these tours but also to provide fun tour kits and many memorable moments for the kids.

“At the recent waterfall tournament in Southport, the team not only did themselves proud but also the club by winning the cup and doing so without losing a game getting the grad slam. The sportsmanship and team spirt shown was second to none!”

A fantastic well done to all players, staff, families, and local businesses involved for their dedicated work and support.

Doncaster Knights’ 2022/23 season came to an end this afternoon with a 32-0 loss to Ealing Trailfinders in London in the Semi-Final of the Championship Cup.

Ealing first of the day came within 7 minutes. Chasing a ball through the line in the Knights 22, Reuben Bird-Tulloch nudged the ball a second time to avoid George Simpson and collected over the line to score. Luke Daniels then converted.

They added a penalty on 26 minutes after the Knights were called for hinging at the scrum and Daniels went for the posts.

A minute shy of half an hour, Ealing second came when they collected a short chip kick over the line meant for the Knights. Recycling quickly, Jonah Holmes found a gap to run in the score underneath the posts with Daniels then converting.

The third came four minutes later. Playing on from a potential knock-on, the hosts recycled amongst the Knights confusion – breaking into the 22 before finding space for Bird-Tulloch to cross for his second of the day. Daniels then converted the score.

A penalty with 2 minutes until half time after the Knights were penalised for off-side allowed Daniels to secure a 27-0 half-time lead.

Yellow cards were dealt out throughout the second half – the first coming on 45 minutes when Ealing’ Ollie Newman was sent from the field for a high tackle.

The next major sway in play came just after the hour as Conor Davidson took blame for repeated pack infringements at the scrum as he was sent to the sin bin. Jake Armstrong followed a few minutes later for an identical issue.

The last points of the day however came on 71 minutes. The hosts came around the corner of the scrum, stealing the Donny ball. Holmes received a pass on the wing and went over the whitewash in the corner in a crush of Knights tacklers but the ref signalled the score.

Despite an extremely dogged fight, showing some real guts in the second half, it wasn’t to be for the Doncaster men as their season ends on defeat in knockout rugby in the capital.

 

Ealing Trailfinders XV | 15 Cian Kelleher; 14 Luke Daniels, 13 Max Bodily, 12 Reuben Bird-Tulloch, 11 Jonah Holmes; 10 Dan Lancaster, 9 Craig Hampson; 1 James Gibbons, 2 Shaun Malton, 3 Lewis Thiede, 4 Bobby De Wee, 5 David O’Connor, 6 Adam Korczyk, 7 Ollie Newman, 8 Simon Uzokwe.

Replacements | 16 Alun Walker, 17 Will Davis, 18 George Davis, 19 Barney Maddison, 20 Simon Linsell, 21 Jordan Burns, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Jack Digby.

Pens: Daniels 2

Tries: Bird-Tulloch 2, Holmes 2

Cons: Daniels 3

Yellow card: Ollie Newman

 

Starting XV | 15 Billy McBryde; 14 George Simpson, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Maliq Holden; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Roberts, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Ehize Ehizode, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Rhys Tait, 7 Thom Smith, 8 John Kelly.

Replacements | 16 Will Holling, 17 Jake Pope, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Sam Daly, 20 Jared Cardew, 21 Will Yarnell, 22 Robbie Smith, 23 Harry Davey.

Yellow card: Conor Davidson, Jake Armstrong.

 

Referee: Harry Walbaum

Castle Park is excited to next weekend host a weekend of Yorkshire Rugby games.

Kicking off on May 13, there will ultimately be 6 games played on either Saturday or Sunday, May 14.

On Saturday:

Senior Women in Gill Burns County Championship (KO 2pm)

Senior Men in Bill Beaumont County Championship (KO 4pm)

On Sunday:

Yorkshire Vase (KO 11am)

Silver Trophy (KO 1pm)

Yorkshire Shield (KO 3pm)

Yorkshire Cup (KO 5pm)

Tickets will cost £10 for adults, £6 for concessions and all Under 18s FREE. You can book yours HERE now.

We are excited to announce that lock Ben Murphy will be staying with Doncaster Knights for the 2023/24 season.

27-year-old Ben arrived from Cardiff Rugby in the United Rugby Championship part-way through last season in November 2021 as the Knights suffered injury problems in the pack.

Having played 19 times for the Welsh province he joined from, Ben has now racked up 25 Knights appearances having quickly impressed fans and endeared himself to teammates throughout his first season.

Ben came into pre-season with no sense of diminished drive and was an integral part of the first half of the season before injury struck in a training session, he was ruled out for a couple months. Returning to the field last weekend at Castle Park, it was clear that Ben’s brutal style of play was very much still intact, despite his time in the rehab room.

And so, the forward is ready to spend another season giving his best to the Knights shirt.

“I’m excited to have signed for Doncaster Knights for another season. I’ve loved my time here so far – Doncaster has become a home from home.

“This has been a tough year with results not going out way and spending most of the second half of the season injured, but I can’t wait to fly into next season and do all I can in aiding the team in pushing for the top spot.

“I’m also looking forward to playing in front of a packed Castle Park, where the fans have been so welcoming to me and my family.”

Knights Head Coach Steve Boden is pleased to have one of his pack leaders staying at Castle Park.

“We’re really delighted that Ben is staying on board after a tough period of injury this year. He’s fought really hard to bounce back and get some rugby at the back end of the season and that’s testament to the sort of guy he is.

“He works extremely hard, is an unbelievable team member – both on and off the pitch – and so we’re delighted to secure his services for next season. We think he represents everything Doncaster Knights should be about – hard-working, humble, and a good teammate.”

We are excited to see what Ben can continue to bring to the Knights badge throughout next season.

If you’d like to see Ben in action at Castle Park, be sure to purchase your season ticket HERE.

Doncaster Knights have named their team for the semi-final of the Championship Cup against Ealing Trailfinders at the Trailfinders Sports Club.

Head Coach Steve Boden has made 10 changes to the starting line-up that lost out to Ealing at Castle Park in the final game of the league season last weekend.

The front row will see Conor Davidson, George Roberts and Andrew Foster all start. Ehize Ehizode returns to the second row alongside Ben Murphy. The back row will then be formed by Rhys Tait, co-captain Thom Smith and John Kelly.

Alex Dolly and co-captain Sam Olver return to the starting line-up as the ever-familiar half-back duo. Maliq Holden returns to the wing alongside George Simpson with Billy McBryde moving back to fullback. The comfortable pairing of Connor Edwards – earning his 50th Knights appearance – and Joe Margetts returns in the centre.

The bench is once more a 5-3. Jake Pope, Will Holling and Jake Armstrong form the replacement front row. The rest of the pack is covered by Sam Daly and Jared Cardew.

Meanwhile the backs are provided cover by Will Yarnell, Robbie Smith and Harry Davey.

Kick-off is at 15:00 at Trailfinders Sports Club on Saturday, May 6, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 Billy McBryde; 14 George Simpson, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Maliq Holden; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Roberts, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Ehize Ehizode, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Rhys Tait, 7 Thom Smith, 8 John Kelly.

Replacements | 16 Will Holling, 17 Jake Pope, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Sam Daly, 20 Jared Cardew, 21 Will Yarnell, 22 Robbie Smith, 23 Harry Davey.