MATCH REPORT: Doncaster miss out in close encounter at the Castle
7th November 2025
DONCASTER KNIGHTS are defeated 21-24 in a tight battle against Chinnor at Castle Park.
The Knights were the first team to get points on the board as Chinnor were penalised at the breakdown and Russell Bennett slotted the penalty for three points 3-3. Chinnor soon answered back with three points of their own when Doncaster were penalised for a dangerous tackle. 6-3.
The front row, who were in good form this week, earned us penalty at the scrum which then allowed Bennett to put us back in the lead, and a second penalty followed which Bennett also, 9-3.
It was the visitors who managed to get themselves over the try line first, with a huge carry from number 8, Gabriel Mann igniting the play. He offloaded to Jamie Campbell, who then had a clear gap to the line, they added the extras from the conversion. 9-10.
Chinnor then snatched another score shorty after as they pounced on a loose ball and moved it quickly through the backline. Another successful conversion put them 9-17 up.
Donny worked really had to stay in the game ahead of the half time whistle, with Joe Margetts turning the ball over at the breakdown to allow the Knights another attack. A few phases later, the forwards won 5 scrum penalties in a row, causing Chinnor to be shown a yellow card. On the final dominant scrum, Donny whip the ball out wide and a long pass from Aidan Cross gave Matt McNab the space to go over in the corner. A fantastic touchline conversion from Bennett left the half time score 16-17.
Chinnor put some early points on the board at the start of the second half as they slotted a penalty for an extra three. 16-20.
Jordan Olowofela chased a high ball and perfectly timed his tackle on his opposition player, this left Chinnor vulnerable at the breakdown and allowed Rhys Tait to win a penalty from the jackal. Bennett kicked Donny into the corner and the Knights attacked again.
Morgan Bunting then showed a brilliantly bit of skill as he whipped super long pass out to Joe Margetts on the wing. Margetts dotted it down in the corner giving Donny the edge again.
Unfortunately the Knights lead didn’t last long as a penalty at the breakdown gave them a chance to kick for another three. 21-23.
The Knights spent the final 20 minutes with most of the possession, but Chinnor’s defence was relentless and with the clock in the red, the visitors managed to secure possession and kick the ball out, leaving the full time score 21-32.
The Knights return to Castle Park at the end of the month to face Coventry. Saturday 29th November. – secure tickets here.
