MF Hire agree to a season as front of shirt sponsor for the Knights

We are delighted to announce the continued support of sponsorship from MF Hire.

MF Hire are a leading independent tool hire and sales provider, with bases in Sheffield, Leeds and Leicester. They provide to a plethora of industries, trade customers and DIY enthusiasts, with a wide range of tools and equipment such as power tools, gardening and landscape, plumbing, building and lifting equipment. MF Hire have been a loyal sponsor to the club for years, and this season they agreed to be the front of shirt sponsor on our 150th anniversary kit.

Zak Poole, Hire Sales Representative at the Sheffield branch, and semi-professional rugby player for Rotherham Titans, headed the deal along with Group Operations Director, Rob Harmston. Zak came down to Castle Park and stated: “It’s brilliant to see a Yorkshire-based rugby union club doing so well. I’ve always loved the sport, and it seemed so important to get MF Hire involved in a club with such high aspirations, and especially so close to home.”

Head of Commercial at Doncaster Knights, Tom Foy, expressed his delight in the ongoing partnership with MF Hire: “I’m very pleased that Doncaster Knights and MF Hire have committed to another year of sponsorship together. As a company who are such avid fans of the support, and who provide such a useful yet innovative service, this partnership is one we value highly and believe can benefit MF Hire, the club and the community.”

MF Hire and Doncaster Knights are very excited for the upcoming season, which will mark another year of a solid foundation of business between the two parties. To learn more about what MF Hire have to offer, you can read more on their website for all your tool hire needs.

To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.

Doncaster Knights fall to 14-30 defeat against Nottingham

Doncaster Knights fall short to a determined Nottingham side at Castle Park. 

Nottingham Rugby opened the scores early on as a Doncaster penalty allowed them to kick for the line out. They executed the line out well, with their hooker going over the line from the rolling maul.

Despite missing the conversion for the first try, the visitors extended their lead shortly after by kicking three points off the tee, the penalty was given because Doncaster were offside. 

After Nottingham’s first score, Doncaster manage to keep the majority of the possession for the remainder of the first half, but errors mean they came away with very few points. 

There were a handful of positive moments, including a turnover in the line out. This then led to the ball being fed down the line to Zach Kerr who put in a brilliant grubber kick to keep Doncaster in the attacking 22. They spent a while close to the try line but handling errors meant they came away without a score.

Morgan Bunting placed a good cross field kick which was dropped into touch by Nottingham’s 15, Ryan Olowofela. Allowing them another chance to attack from the line out. The line out was unsuccessful but the visitors knock the ball on meaning Doncaster were back in possession.

The Knights continue to push in attack and Morgan Strong finally cracks the defence. The Number eight picked the ball from the back of the scrum and showed brilliant strength to carry the ball over the line. Alex Dolly comfortably slotted the conversion. 

Doncaster come close to scoring a second try just before the half time whistle as the ball was shipped to Jordan Olowofela who gained a lot of ground. However, another handling error meant it was lost forward at the line. 

Half time score 7-8. 

It was a more positive start to the second half from the home team as the half backs linked up nicely to set Olowofela up for a try under the posts. The forwards made a series of carries which drew the defence in and opened up the space for the backs, Dolly then shipped the ball to Bunting who perfectly timed his pass to Olowofela. Dolly added the extras again. 

Doncaster continued to dominate the next few phases, until Nottingham’s winger Harry Graham intercepted the ball and ran the whole length of the pitch. Maliq Holden softened the blow with a brilliant chase down on the conversion, keeping Doncaster in front at the time. 

However, following the intercept, Doncaster Knights struggled to get their momentum back and Nottingham scored two more tries and a penalty. 

The first of the tries was scored by their second row, Tom Manz, who found a gap in the Doncaster defence after Nottingham spent a while making carries. The second was scored out on the wing when Nottingham moved the ball quickly to create the overlap. Both the tries were converted meaning the final score was 14 – 30 to Nottingham. 

Maliq Holden was awarded our man of the match, showing dedication and fight in defence, as well as making some great carries. 

Doncaster Knights now focus on their first away game of the season next week, against Ealing Trailfinders. 

 

 

TEAM NEWS – Knights named for round two vs Nottingham Rugby

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have made a few tactical changes to their starting line up since last week’s win against Ampthill.

In the pack, the only changes are to the front row. Logovi’i Mulipola moves across to tight-head prop, making way for Conor Davidson at loose-head. This will be Davidson’s 50th cap for Doncaster Knights.

George Roberts remains to be the starting hooker. Joe Jones and Andrew Turner are on the props on the bench, while Fred Davies remains as the replacement hooker. 

The rest of the forwards pack stays the same. Thom Smith and captain, Ben Murphy at second row, with Archie Smeaton, Rhys Tait and Morgan Strong on the back row. 

Morgan Bunting comes in for Russ Bennett at fly-half. The remainder of the starting back line stays the same. Alex Dolly as scrum-half, Zach Kerr and Connor Edwards in the centre, with Maliq Holden, Semesa Rokoduguni and Jordan Olowofela at back three. 

Both Morgan Bunting and Jordan Olowofela have joined the Knights this season, from Nottingham and will therefore be going head-to-head with their previous club. 

There is a couple of other tactical changes to the bench – Bath loanee Arthur Green comes in for Jasper McGuire and second row, Cory Teague also gets a space on the bench. Ollie Fox remains the scrum-half replacement, but George Wacokecoke replaces Harry Davey on the bench.

Starting XV | 1. Conor Davidson , 2. George Roberts, 3. Logovi’i Mulipola 4. Ben Murphy (C), 5. Thom Smith, 6. Archie Smeaton, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Morgan Strong, 9. Alex Dolly, 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Maliq Holden, 12. Connor Edwards, 13. Zach Kerr, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 15. Jordan Olowofela

Replacements | 16. Fred Davies, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Joe Jones, 19. Taniela Ramasibana, 20. Arthur Green, 21. Cory Teague, 22. Ollie Fox, 23. George Wacokecoke 

Tickets for the fixture are still available here!

ORB Recruitment become latest sponsor of Doncaster Knights

We are delighted to add a new sponsor onto our roster this season with ORB Recruitment.

With their head office based in Doncaster, ORB are a leading recruitment company, who pride themselves on creating personal and purpose-built solutions, unique for each client. In doing this they have become a leading agency within their chosen markets, such as manufacturing/production, healthcare, construction, and engineering. ORB have committed to a multi-faceted deal this season, taking the back of shorts sponsorship, and a 150th anniversary package, which includes the player sponsorship of prop, Joe Jones.

ORB Recruitment CEO, Stewart Olsen couldn’t make it to Castle Park for the photo shoot, however their Business Development Manager, Michael Kilby-Scott, a Knights fan, did the honours. Olsen shared his joy in the agreement, however, saying: “Since I started ORB Recruitment in 2018, our support for our business community as Chamber Sponsor and our local teams have been at the forefront of our ethos. When the opportunity arose to become a kit partner for the Knights, it was a very easy decision to make when I met with Tom and Tracey. Like ORB Recruitment, we feel that there is one way they are heading, and Doncaster Knights’ drive and commitment for Premiership promotion will make this season extremely exciting for the players and the fans”.

Tracey Owen, Sales Executive at Doncaster Knights, stated her delight in the partnership saying “it has been a pleasure working with Stewart and Michael and the rest of the team at ORB. As a club, we value the support of local businesses for sponsorship and are delighted to welcome ORB as sponsors and for hospitality throughout the season”

Both parties are very much looking forward to the season ahead, both in a business and sporting sense. Whether you are looking for a change from your current recruitment supplier, looking to add another option to your talent acquisition function, or completely outsource recruitment as a whole, ORB are there to help. To learn more about what ORB Recruitment has to offer, see more on their website.

To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.

Jordan Olowofela discusses facing his brother during Nottingham fixture on Saturday

Full back Jordan Olowofela previews the Nottingham fixture this weekend and explains his feelings about facing his brother. 

Olowofela was a star man during last weeks performance as his scored a hat-trick on his Doncaster Knights Championship debut. 

He said: “it was good. We had a long preseason. I think it was 10 weeks of training hard. It was good to get out for the first home game and win like that.” 

The 26-year-old is one of the new additions to the squad this season. He explains how he is finding the team: “it’s a really tight group of lads. Everybody makes you feel welcome. Good coaches and staff too. It’s really good.”

Nottingham are the team that Olowofela was part of before joining Doncaster Knights.

“It’ll be strange to play against them, but it’ll also be good, obviously it’s a new team now, it will be good to go against some old and new faces.”

As well as facing his old team, he will also be facing his twin brother, Ryan Olowofela.

“I have played against him before, a long time ago, maybe five years ago, but it’ll be good to play against him.” 

“It’s a tricky one for the family and friends not knowing who to support. We’re both competitive, but not in a hindrance way. Growing up we’d all support each other.” 

Finally, Olowofela reflects the mood in the squad heading into the weekend, “we are buzzing to go again, especially at home. Training’s been very good as well.” 

If you want to catch Jordan and the rest of the team in action, you can secure your tickets here.

LOAN WATCH: Metcalfe and Mitchell score to aid Bury St Edmunds to dominant victory

Bury St Edmunds defeated Oxford Harlequins 61-33 in their first home game of the season. Doncaster Knight’s loanees Will Metcalfe (wing/scrum half), James Harrison (second row) and Calvin Mitchell (prop) featured in the starting line up for the winning side. 

James Harrison being lifted

Both Metcalfe and Mitchell got their names on the score sheet – with Metcalfe earning man of the match. 

Bury opened the scores just two minutes in as their scrum half Elliott McPhun scored. Shortly after, Mitchell scored after a series of powerful drives. 

Mitchell scoring a try

Metcalfe scored two tries during his ‘man of the match performance’ – starting on the wing and moving to scrum half in the second half. 

Metcalfe receiving his man of the match award

You can read their full match report here

Photo credit: beanstalkmedia

Bury’s next fixture is away to Dorking this weekend. 

Gray & Sons sign deal as kit sponsor for 2024/25 season

We are very pleased to announce the first year of kit sponsorship with Gray & Sons Interior Shopfitters Ltd.

Doncaster-based company, Gray & Sons, is a fit-out company who work on a national scale. Established in 2011, with a staff force of over 100 years of experience in the construction industry, Gray & Sons have vast experience working in commercial, retail, leisure, healthcare and education, and with such big name companies such as JD, LEGO and Manchester Airport.

Gray & Sons, headed by Director, Lee Gray, has been involved with the Doncaster Mini Juniors for many years, and last year decided to take a further involvement with the club as a sponsor for both the Knights and Phoenix. This season he committed to a larger deal, appearing on this season’s 150th Anniversary kit as the rear left leg short sponsor. Director, Lee, said “Doncaster Knights is very special to me, our business, and to the community. With my son in the Mini Juniors set-up here, I see first hand what an impact rugby has on him and it was a no-brainer to get further involved in such a brilliant club with such high aspirations”

Head of Commercial at Doncaster Knights, Tom Foy, expressed his delight in regards to the club’s new kit sponsor with Gray & Sons Interior Shopfitters: “This sponsorship represents a significant boost for the Knights, strengthening their commercial partnerships and helping to support the team’s continued growth. The collaboration with Gray & Sons is expected to provide mutual benefits, with the sponsorship gaining exposure within the rugby community while the Knights benefit from the support of a respected local business.”

Lee is a season ticket holder and was delighted with the Knights’ performance against Ampthill and is excited to see how the rest of the season pans out, along with the rest of us here at Castle Park. The relationship built over the course of this year is one that both parties hope will last for many seasons to come. To learn more about what Gray & Sons do and what their company has to offer, see more on their website.

Reaction – Captain Ben Murphy reflects on Ampthill victory post game

Doncaster Knights began their Championship season with a 45-31 home win against Ampthill. Captain Ben Murphy spoke post game about how he felt the performance went:

“To get five points from the first game is always a positive. Obviously there’s parts of the game that we can improve on and there’s probably certain times where we lost control of the game. But like I said, five points from the first game is all you can ask for really.”

Murphy explained how despite being a very new squad, this did not effect their coherence on the pitch. “It’s probably one of the closest groups I’ve been in. We had a complete turnover, basically more than half the squad left. Everyone who’s come in, they’ve bought into the culture.

“And credit to the back room staff and the coaches that gave us the opportunity to bond, like the weekend in Bury which was very beneficial. Everyone seemed to gel. And from that moment forward we’ve become a team, really.”

The second row briefly looked ahead to the rest of the season: “Like anyone, you don’t play to come second. You always play to come first. So we’re taking it one game at a time. We’re not looking too far ahead, but we’d be lying if we weren’t looking for the top.

“It’s as realistic as you want to make it, I think. If you believe in it, then we can go on to do it. But like I said, we’re taking it one game at a time. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”

“Our back’s were very dangerous and our forwards have operated well with a couple of maul tries. We’ve got a few injured players coming back next week but other than that, we’ve not really looked too far ahead.” 

The Knights have been back on site training with their attention now on Saturday’s fixture against Nottingham. You can secure your tickets here!