Here is your Doncaster Knights Starting XV for the Christmas Friendly with Edinburgh Rugby

Friday 15th December 2023

7:30pm Kick Off

Castle Park

 

1 HARRISON COURTNEY

2 TOM DOUGHTY

3 KARL GARSIDE

4 ADAM HOPKINSON

5 EVAN MINTERN

6 RHYS TAIT

7 ARCHIE SMEATON

8 OLLIE LEATHERBARROW

9 OLLIE FOX

10 SAM OLVER ©

11 MALIQ HOLDEN

12 JOE BEDLOW

13 VEREIMI QOROWALE

14 JACK METCALF

15 BILLY MCBRYDE

 

REPLACEMENTS

16 GEORGE ROBERTS

17 CALVIN MITCHELL

18 CORRIE BARRETT

19 FYN BROWN

20 JACK DIGBY

21 WILL METCALFE

22 RUSSELL BENNETT

23 CONNOR EDWARDS

 

 

A few words on this weeks team choice from Head-Coach, Joe Ford

It’s a great opportunity to keep momentum going from the pirates game, we were really pleased with where our game was at after that one and felt with the jersey game being cancelled, we needed another game in this period to keep the lads match ready & also to get minutes into all the squad because if we are going to be successful this season, it will require everyone.

 

With regards to players, the team sheet and injuries, we are just light in a couple of areas with a few knocks & we have a great relationship with Newcastle who wanted to get some minutes into lads, so it worked really well for both of us. Both Ollie & Vereimi on loan for 1 week from Newcastle Falcons.

 

Vereimi Qorowale (#13) played for us last season on a couple of occasions and really impressed. He’s really powerful and loves the contact side of the game so I’m really excited to see him go again for us and I’m sure the fans will enjoy what he has to offer.

Ollie leatherbarrow (#8) won the university league (BUCS)  back to back & captained them in the second year. Represented @ under 20’s level for Scotland & played for Newcastle first team last week in Europe & is highly rated up there, we have been really impressed with his attitude this week and how quickly he has picked up our systems so again it’s really exciting to see how he goes on Friday.

 

Edinburgh are obviously one of only 2 top outfits in Scotland, so it’s a brilliant test for us to see how we hold up against another top full time outfit, they are known for moving the ball around so it should be all set up for a really exciting game.

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for stadium customers, contracted to 30 hours per week. This will progress to full time in the very near future for the right candidate.

If you are an innovative and creative Chef, passionate about creating great food whether it be on a match day, for a wedding or for a large conference,  – we want to hear from you!

In return we offer support and development to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
• Creating attractive food and counter displays
• Representing Doncaster Rugby Football Club and maintaining a positive brand image
• Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards
• Complying with Health & Safety regulations

Chef – Doncaster Rugby Club

£13.00 per hour, 30 hours per week

Our ideal Candidate will:

• Have an enthusiastic can-do attitude
• Display passion for delivering excellent customer service
• Be an excellent team player
• Arrive equipped with a desire to succeed in your role
• Thrive working under pressure
• Demonstrate outstanding timekeeping and reliability
• Have a safety-first mind set
• Have experience within a similar catering-related role, but this isn’t essential.

Please email [email protected] with your current C.V

 

Doncaster Knights achieved one of the best results in their recent history by beating Cornish Pirates for the first time in five years at the Mennaye Field in Penzance.

The Knights’ 39-28 triumph, by five tries to four, earned the Castle Park club a maximum of five points, enabling them to regain second place in the Championship on 24 points – just two behind leaders Ealing Trailfinders.

Doncaster have now won five of their six league games.

First-half tries by forwards Fyn Brown, Harry Wilson and Ehize Ehizode were followed by a powerful second-half display in which winger Maliq Holden and full-back Billy McBryde scored on 56 and 60 minutes.

Doncaster’s control was also exerted by fly-half Russell Bennett, who joined the club after the collapse of Jersey Reds, kicking 14 points – four conversions and two penalties.

The Knights’ constant pressure forced Pirates into making several mistakes, and before the Cornish side added two late tries, Doncaster were leading by 25 points – an amazing margin considering five consecutive defeats in Penzance.

Apart from their attack producing five tries at a hostile venue, made worse by rain, Doncaster also defended solidly.

Earlier, Doncaster enjoyed an excellent first half as they scored three tries to shock the Pirates. Second row forward Brown scored from a scrum in only the second minute and with fly-half Bennett converting, the Knights lead 7-0.

However, this promising start gathered pace soon afterwards when a thrilling attack involving Holden, playing against his old club, supported by forwards Ehizode and Brown, set up a second try in the sixth minute for flanker Harry Wilson.

Following another successful conversion from Bennett, Doncaster were now 14-0 in front.

Soon, though, Pirates gradually won some ball and territory as they came back strongly to break through to score two tries which threatened Doncaster’s authority in a highly competitive contest.

The two converted Pirates tries cut the lead to 17-14, but just before half time, Pirates’ winger Matt McNab was sin-binned and with the home side reduced to 14 men, Bennett kicked his second penalty stretching his team’s advantage to 20-14.

And then with Pirates a man down, Doncaster attacked again and finished the opening 40 minutes outstandingly as second-row forward Ehizode galloped through the Pirates’ defence to score his team’s third try and with it a decent lead of 25-14.

Cornish Pirates: Moyle, McNab, Elderkin, Georgiou, Nowell, Houston, Schwarz, Zigiadis, Nelson, Johnson, Bokenhom, Barker, Everett, Stevens, Grubb. Replacements: Williams, Walker, Richardson, Rice, Gibson, Dawson, Jenkins, Pittman.

Doncaster Knights: McBryde, Simpson, Margetts, Bedlow, Holden, Bennett, Dolly, Davidson, Roberts, Thiede, Brown, Ehizode, Wilson, Smeaton, Digby. Replacements: Fletcher, Courtney, Barrett, Hopkinson, Tait, Mintern, Fox, Metcalf.

Referee: Joe Jones (RFU)

Match Report By Guy Williams

Photo Credit: Brian Tempest

Here is your Doncaster Knights team for their away, Round 6, Championship Rugby clash against the Cornish Pirates.

1 DAVIDSON
2.ROBERTS
3.THIEDE
4.BROWN
5.EHIZODE
6.WILSON
7.SMEATON
8.DIGBY (C)
9.DOLLY
10.BENNETT
11.HOLDEN
12.BEDLOW
13.MARGETTS
14.SIMPSON
15.MCBRYDE

REPLACEMENTS
16. FLETCHER
17. COURTNEY
18. BARRETT
19. HOPKINSON
20. TAIT
21. MINTERN
22. FOX
23. METCALF

#16 Ollie Fletcher is a Hooker on loan from Newcastle to cover injury within the forwards

Doncaster Knights 29 – 24 London Scottish

Doncaster’s self-confidence improved considerably at Castle Park as they achieved their stated aim of recovering from the defeat in the last game at Coventry. By earning a maximum of five Championship points as they overcame an enterprising London Scottish team, the Knights moved into second place in the league and now have 19 points following four victories from five matches.

This was the hardest of contests and Scottish never once looked what they are: bottom of the table, having lost all four games. Indeed, for much of an excellent battle, the visitors played with much more conviction and authority, scoring three tries and led 24-17 on 70 minutes as it appeared that Doncaster would lose again.

However, in the climax, the Knights, just when it mattered most, created two scoring opportunities which clinched a much-needed result in their favour.

Adding to the earlier tries on 21 and 60 minutes by hooker Harri Morris and winger George Simpson, who touched down after a skilful and quick-thinking cross kick by fly half Sam Olver, Simpson shot through to complete a thrilling counter-attack to score in the corner for his second in the 72nd to cut the London Scottish lead to only 24-22.

Doncaster were now enjoying some decent possession and territory that had been prevented previously. The match winning try on 79 minutes was the result of a clever 50.22 kick from full back Russell Bennett whose expertise set up a line-out close to the Scottish line.

Doncaster’s forwards sized the opportunity instantly. Number eight Jack Digby smashed his way over to grab a 27-24 advantage and with Bennett converting, the Knights now led 29-24.

They had, though, to survive some anxious moments because Scottish regained the ball, but when their final attack ended with a wild pass into touch, Doncaster knew they’d clung on to a narrow lead and what’s more had shown genuine character to bury the serious loss against Coventry.

“ It was a big team performance and we got out of jail,” admitted Simpson who took both his try scoring chances intelligently.

“ We were upset with the Coventry result and were really motivated for this match and determined to put in a performance and get the five points.

“ We weren’t perfect against Scottish, but we found a way to win. We stuck to our system and got there in the end. Look, it’s nice to get on the score sheet, but all the credit for my tries should go to the forwards.

“ I can’t take too much because the boys put me into space and I just did my job.”

Doncaster’s next challenge is this Sunday down in Penzance against Cornish Pirates, currently fifth in the Championship on 15 points with three wins in four games.

Doncaster Knights: Bennett, Simpson, Margetts, Edwards, Holden, Olver(McBryde 67), Fox(Dolly 63), Courtney(Davidson 45), Morris( Roberts 43), Thiede(Barrett 43), Ehizode, Hopkinson(Brown 45), Wilson, Tait(Smeaton 65), Digby.

London Scottish: Anderson, Mehson, Waghorn, McCallum, Brown(Slevin 58), Lloyd-Seed, Gjaltema(Kerins 65), Cave(Prior 58), Musk, Challenger(Hobson 61), Green, Browne, Ransom, Ingall(Marshall 62), Trenholm.

Words by Guy Williams

Here is your team sheet for the Round 5 Championship Rugby clash against London Scottish

1 COURTNEY
2. MORRIS
3. THIEDE
4. EHIZODE
5. HOPKINSON
6. WILSON
7. TAIT
8. DIGBY (C)
9. FOX
10.OLVER (C)
11.HOLDEN
12.EDWARDS
13.MARGETTS
14.SIMPSON
15.BENNETT

REPLACEMENTS
16. ROBERTS
17. DAVIDSON
18. BARRETT
19. BROWN
20. SMEATON
21. DOLLY
22. MCBRYDE
23. METCALF

Here is your Doncaster Knights starting XV for the Round 4 Championship Rugby away clash with Coventry.

Saturday 18th November
Butts Park Arena

1 Conor Davidson
2 George Roberts
3 Andy Foster
4 Evan Mintern
5 Ehize Ehizode
6 Fyn Brown
7 Rhys Tait
8 Harry Wilson
9 Alex Dolly
10 Sam Olver ©
11 AJ Cant
12 Connor Edwards
13 Joe Bedlow
14 Harry Davey
15 Russ Bennett

REPLACEMENTS
16 Harri Morris
17 Harrison Courtney 18 Lewis Thiede
19 Archie Smeaton 20 Jack Digby
21 Adam Hopkinson 22 Ollie Fox
23 Joe Margetts

The club has been informed of the sad news that John (Spud) Newsome has passed away.

‘Spud’ played for the club in the 70’s after joining from Adwick.

People will remember him as the club comedian.

Our condolences go to his family.

His funeral is on the 16th November, 11:00am at Adwick Church

Afterwards onto the Foresters Arms

Doncaster’s encouraging start to the Championship season-three consecutive wins-has moved them into second place in the table on 14 points, only one behind the leaders Ealing Trailfinders.

The Knights, who recovered strongly at Castle Park where they suffered a shocking start and were losing by 12-0 after only five minutes, have beaten Hartpury, Cambridge and now Nottingham.

They have a week off before the challenging contest at Coventry, one of the most powerful and ambitious clubs in the Championship, who surprisingly lost by 34-24 at Ampthill in Bedfordshire.

Doncaster’s victory owed much to the dominance of their forwards who grabbed control of the match as it became clear that Nottingham’s exciting start-tries in the first minute and then in the fifth by wingers Jordan Olowofela and David Williams-could develop into an embarrassing home defeat.

First half tries by centre Connor Edwards and number eight Harry Wilson plus a conversion and two penalties from fly half Sam Olver established some authority at 18-12, and then in the second half, the pack continued to create promising opportunities, two of which were taken by flanker Rhys Tait and then by Olver who joined a maul on Nottingham’s line.

By 55 minutes Doncaster appeared well in control as they led 30-12,but Nottingham’s speed set up a third try, converted, to cut the gap to 30-19 with more than 20 minutes remaining.

With Nottingham still creating scoring chances, Doncaster’s defence had to be at its most solid and as their opponents continued to give away penalties, the Knights survived to earn a maximum five points.

“ This is a fantastic win, and the boys did brilliantly to turn things round,” said a delighted Steve Boden, Doncaster’s coach.

“ Our forwards were outstanding, and our defence was good too,” he added.

(Words by Guy Williams)

WHO CAME HERE TO PAAAAARTY?!?

 Castle Park invites you to our Family Christmas Party!

Fun for all the family

• Hot Chocolate station
• Children’s games
• Disco
• Messy play
• A special visit from Olaf the Snowman +
• SANTA CLAUS & HIS ELVES

Bar and food available

📆23rd December
📍Castle Park
⏱️12pm-4pm
💰 £9.99 per child (adults free with a child ticket)

 

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 PARTY 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 ⬇️

Tickets

OUT OF CHRISTMAS IDEAS?

Fill your families stockings this year with the gift of Rugby… KNIGHTS RUGBY!

Whether it be a gift voucher for the shop, so Gran can get her new away shirt…

… or a voucher for Mum and Dad so they can enjoy our 1875 Club, match day hospitality…

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK THIS CHRISTMAS!

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 GIFT VOUCHERS 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 ⬇️

Knights Gift Vouchers