Doncaster Knights Rugby Club were delighted to support the Cash4Kids Christmas Mission by delivering a kit van full of toys and presents to their South Yorkshire headquarters today.

First-team players Ollie Fox and Russell Bennett helped drop off the donations at Mission HQ, where volunteers were working tirelessly to sort gifts into age categories and organise deliveries to families who would otherwise go without presents on Christmas Day.

During their visit, the players toured the warehouse and spoke with volunteers to learn more about the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes, helping to “save Christmas” for so many local families.

The Knights are proud to support such an important cause within the local community and would like to thank everyone involved in donating, sorting, and delivering gifts to ensure children across South Yorkshire can experience some festive magic this Christmas.

We would like to thank anyone who contributed to the club’s collection of toys and gifts! If you missed out, Mission Christmas are still taking donations up until tomorrow (Dec 18th) so find you’re nearest drop off point ASAP: https://cashforkids.org.uk/mission-christmas/drop-off-points/ 

Ampthill opened the scores first as their inside centre broke through the line to open space, before moving the ball quickly to Brandon Jackson. Jackson ran in the try under the posts meaning the conversion was simple and the visitors went 0-7 up. 

The Knights answered back quickly with a well executed set piece. Prop, Conor Davidson managed to drive his way over the line off the back of a line out. 5-7. 

A bit of magic form the back line then allowed the Knights another score. Morgan Bunting placed a perfect cross field kick right into the hands of Cross, who chose the safe option of moving the ball back inside to Veainu. Veianu dived over the line and Bunting added the extra two points. 10-7.

Ampthill soon kept themselves in the game by stretching the ball out wide for Fraser Strachan to go over in the corner and level the scores, with another conversion ending them in front. 12-14. 

Morgan Bunting then showed a lovely bit of skill to slot a drop goal and put the Knights back ahead by a point. 15-14. 

The lead didn’t last for long as Ampthill managed to snatch another try by moving the ball out wide again. The added conversion meant the half time score was 15-21. 

Doncaster came out in the second half with some brilliant momentum, and after defending the line to hold Ampthill out, they then worked up to the other end of the pitch brilliantly. The forwards won a scrum penalty which allowed us the chance to kick to touch. 

Doncaster threw a long line out ball to Zach Kerr in the centre which sparked a brilliant move from the backline, weaving the ball out to Veainu. Veainu then kicked a perfect 50:22, gifting the Knights a line out on 5m line. A few phases later and Bunting threw a long ball out to Kerr who finished in the corner for a birthday try. 20-21. 

Ampthill fought back as Jackson snatched himself a second try with an impressive dive in the corner, and a tricky conversion from out wide but then 20-28 up.

East Timor Viliamu got his first try for the Knights. But it was Veainu who ignited the play with some fancy footwork into space. The full back then shipped it to McNab who ate up meters on the wing, before popping it back to Veainu. One final tip to Viliamu meant he could finish the job. Bunting added the extras. 27-28.

Ampthill caught the Knights in the wide channel yet again as they shipped the ball out for another try on the wing. 

Morgan Bunting added three points to keep it a one score game, but the visitors managed to come out on top by watching a penalty back. Leaving the full time score 30-38. 

 

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad to face Ampthill at Castle Park on Saturday. 

Conor Davidson comes into the starting line up, moving Logovi’i Mulipola to tight head. With Fred Davies keeping the starting hooker spot. Jasper Mcguire moves back to the front row as our replacement loose head, with Lewis Thiede the other replacement prop. Ben Chapman will be the spare hooker. 

In the second row, captain Ben Murphy starts alongside Ehize Ehizode, with Josh Bainbridge, Rhys Tait and East Timor Viliamu the back row behind them. Morgan Jones and Adam Hopkinson make up the remaining replacement forwards.

Our half backs remain unchanged as Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting partner up again. We keep our centre partnership the same as Zach Kerr and Semesa Rokoduguni, and our back three is also unchanged. Aidan Cross and MattMcNab on the wings, with Telusa Veainu at full back. 

Last week’s try scorer Cameron Kelemeti is our replacement scrum half, with Ryan Olowofela and Joe Margetts also named on the bench. 

You can secure tickets to this fixture here!

SQUAD: 1. Conor Davidson 2. Fred Davies, 3. Logovi’i Mulipola, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Josh Bainbridge 7. Rhys Tait, 8. East Timor Viliamu, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Matt McNab, 12. Zach Kerr 13. Semesa Rokoduguni, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Telusa Veainu

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Ben Chapman, 17. Jasper McGuire, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. Morgan Jones, 20. Adam Hopkinson, 21. Cameron Kelemeti, 22. Ryan Olowofela, 23. Joe Margetts.  

Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Andrew Turner, Josh Williams, Connor Edwards, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont, Russell Bennett, Joe Jones

Doncaster Knights can confirm that as of today, George Roberts has been released from his contract to pursue an opportunity in the URC with welsh club, Dragons. 

Roberts leaves Castle Park partway through his sixth season with the club, having recently celebrated the significant milestone of 100 appearances. A popular figure on and off the field, he amassed 103 games in Knights colours and established himself as a consistent performer and respected leader within the squad.

Originally from Wales, the move represents a return home for Roberts and the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to play for the welsh regions. 

Director of Rugby Sir Ian McGeechan praised Roberts’ contribution across his time in Doncaster:

“George has been an important player at the Knights for over 5 seasons and played 103 games. He has been core to the team’s performances and has developed as an important leader within the group. We are delighted he has been given the opportunity to play in Wales for Dragons Rugby in the URC, something he has always wanted to achieve, and he goes with the very best wishes of all at the club to continue his journey towards a Welsh jersey.”

Head Coach Darren Fearn echoed those sentiments:

“Geo has been a huge part of this squad across his six seasons here. In my time with him, he’s never stopped driving his standards and proving he’s ready for the next level. He’s earned this chance to fulfil his dream in the URC with a Welsh region. We’re proud of his development and will look forward to following his career.”

Everyone at Doncaster Knights thanks George for his outstanding service to the club and wishes him every success as he embarks on the next chapter of his career with Dragons Rugby.

Doncaster Knights started strong to secure early points that contributed to a 33-33 draw with Hartpury. 

Rhys Tait was first on the scoresheet in Gloucestershire as Jasper Mcguire who powered through Hartpury’s defence to break the line. He tipped the ball to Ollie Fox before Fox then shipped the ball to Tait, and the back row put in one final step to finish under the posts. Bunting added the extras 0-7. 

The Knights continued to work hard from the next kick off, and a brilliant turnover at the breakdown from Aidan Cross put the knights in charge again.

Matt McNab was next to score with a lovely bit of skill. Ollie Fox popped the ball blind to McNab which opened the space out wide for the winger to gain some meters before putting boot to ball. He chased the ball down and gathered it over the line. Bunting added the conversion from out wide. 0-14. 

Veainu danced round Hartpury defenders to give Doncaster a three try lead. Morgan Bunting added another impressive conversion. 0-21.

Hartpury then found their feet and worked back into the game, with a grubber through Doncaster’s defence setting them up to ground the ball over the line. A successful conversion closed the scores 7-21. 

Donny spent the remainder of the half in defence, but a strong driving maul from the hosts gave them one more score before the half time whistle. Another conversion left the score 14-21 at the break. 

The hosts were the first over the line in the second half, with their full back, Morgan dodging multiple donny defenders to score in the corner. The conversion levelled the scores. 21-21

Donny were penalised at the breakdown which meant Hartpury had the opportunity to go in front for the first time. 24-21.  

Zach Kerr then kept the Knights in the game with another strong score. Veainu delayed his pass out to the centre, opening the gap for him to show his pace to get to the line. 24-26. 

Doncaster’s discipline then allowed Hartpury to retake the lead as three penalties towards the end of the game meant they went ahead 33-26. 

Doncaster managed to pull it back in the 80th minute as they worked their way up to the line. Donny then opted for the scrum 5m out and after a dominant drive, Cameron Kelemeti picked the ball and dived over the whitewash. Bunting added the conversion to finish the game level. 

Full time score 33-33. 

Doncaster now return to Castle Park next week for a Christmas fixture against Ampthill. Secure your tickets here.

 

 

 

Darren Fearn and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their team to face Hartpury in round 9 of the CHAMP.

The starting props remain unchanged with Joe Jones at tighthead and Logovi’i Mulipola at loosehead. We swap the starting hooker as Fred Davies gets the number 2 shirt, with George Roberts slotting onto the bench. Conor Davidson and Lewis Thiede are the replacement props. 

Captain Ben Murphy shifts back into the second row, pairing up with Ehize Ehizode. In the back row, Josh Bainbridge gets his first start since injury, and Rhys Tait remains our 7. Jasper McGuire keeps the number eight shirt again. 

The remaining forwards on the bench consist of East Timor Viliamu, Ben Chapman and Adam Hopkinson. 

Morgan Bunting comes into the starting line up to join Ollie Fox as our half backs. With Semesa Rokoduguni returning from injury to slot into the centres with Zach Kerr. 

Telusa Veainu also returns from injury to play full back, with our wingers unchanged, Aidan Cross and Matt McNab. 

New player Cameron Kelemeti is listed on the bench, alongside Ryan Olowofela, who is also on his return from injury.

SQUAD: 1. Logovi’i Mulipola 2. Fred Davies, 3. Joe Jones, 4. Ehize Ehizode, 5. Ben Murphy (C), 6. Josh Bainbridge 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Jasper McGuire, 9. Ollie Fox. 10. Morgan Bunting, 11. Matt McNab, 12. Zach Kerr 13. Semesa Rokoduguni, 14. Aidan Cross, 15. Telusa Veainu

REPLACEMENTS: 16. George Roberts, 17. Conor Davidson, 18. Lewis Thiede, 19. East Timor Viliamu 20. Ben Chapman, 21. Adam Hopkinson, 22. Cameron Kelemeti, 23. Ryan Olowofela.  

Unavailable for selection: Alex Dolly, Thom Smith, Andrew Turner, Josh Williams, Connor Edwards, Connor Hancock, Tye Raymont, Russell Bennett, Joe Margetts, Jordan Olowofela 

Doncaster Knights are delighted to share that Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti has joined the club as injury cover on a short term contract. The Fijian player’s main position is scrum half, however he can also cover fly half.

The 26-year-old brings with him a great deal of experience across multiple levels of the game, having previously played for Championship club Jersey Reds and Premiership club Newcastle Red Bulls (previously falcons).

More recently Kelemeti has been playing his rugby in America for the New England Free Jacks where he became a two-time MLR Champion. 

Cameron has been training with the team this week and is available for selection immediately.

Doncaster Knights are pleased to announce the appointment of Jacob Ford as the club’s new Attack Coach, joining the senior coaching team with immediate effect.

Ford arrives at Castle Park with a strong reputation for developing dynamic, high-tempo, and attack-minded teams. His experience spans senior club rugby, performance programmes, schools rugby, and national talent pathways, bringing a well-rounded and progressive coaching skill set to the Knights.

Ford completes his move to Doncaster following four influential seasons as Director of Rugby at Bury St Edmunds, where he oversaw significant growth across the club. Under his leadership, the Men’s 1st XV achieved their highest-ever National League finish and developed a distinctive fast-flowing, high-scoring style of play. His work also had a lasting impact across the wider club structure, helping raise performance standards both on and off the field.

Prior to his time at Bury, Ford served as Director of Rugby at Westcliff RFC between 2019 and 2021, guiding the club through National League competition and supporting long-term development. He also spent the 2018/19 season as a Performance Rugby Coach at Loughborough University, contributing to one of the UK’s leading high-performance sporting environments.

His background includes five years as Head of Rugby at Ipswich School, where he led a successful rugby programme within one of the region’s strongest sporting schools. Most recently, Ford has been part of Scottish Rugby’s National Talent Pathway, supporting the identification and development of emerging players within the national system. 

Ford is a name we are familiar with here at the Knights as his brother and former head coach, Joe Ford recently left the club for an exciting opportunity at Sale Sharks. Meaning Jacob too comes from a well-known rugby family, with deep roots in the sport. This background has helped shape his understanding of high-performance environments and modern attacking rugby. 

Director of Rugby Sir Ian McGeechan said: “We are delighted to welcome Jacob to the Knights. He knows our Head Coach, Darren Fearn very well after being with him on the RFU Coach Development  programmes and with the link via Joe, he understands and shares our club coaching and playing philosophy which has been evolving over the last 12 months.”

“We would like to thank Glasgow Rugby and the SRU for supporting this opportunity for Jacob to continue his development at the Knights. He is an outstanding asset for the club to secure.” 

Ford’s appointment strengthens the Knights’ coaching group and aligns with the club’s ambition to play an exciting brand of rugby. The club looks forward to the impact Ford will make as we enter the next block of the 25/26 season.