Doncaster Knights produced a huge result at home as they defeated Ealing Trailfinders for the second time this season. 

For the first 20 minutes of the game, Doncaster were forced to defend as Ealing had the majority of the possession. The forwards were so crucial in keeping Ealing out as multiple scrum penalties allowed us to relieve pressure at key moments.

The pack also defended Ealing’s driving maul a handful of times, meaning the visitors settled for three points. 0-3.

It was half an hour into the game before Doncaster finally made their way into the 22 for the first time. Moments later, Morgan Bunting put in a perfectly placed cross field kick to Maliq Holden. Holden caught the ball and finished beautifully in the corner. Alex Dolly delivered a superb kick from out wide to add the extra two. 7-3

The visitors were straight back into attack and Doncaster continued to thrive in defence. Ealing eventually stole one back just before the half time whistle, as they moved the ball out to the wing and went over in the corner. They missed the conversion meaning it was a one point game at the break, 7-8. 

Morgan Bunting placed a great kick to touch that brought Donny up to the 5m line, before Logovi’i Mulipola showed brilliant strength to drive his way over. Dolly added the conversion again. 12-8.

Trailfinders managed to answer back almost instantly as a penalty gifted them entry into the 22, they then found the space to go over out wide again. 14-13. 

The next ten minutes was another massive defensive shift, with Josh Williams making a brilliant turnover at the line out, and Archie Smeaton stealing the ball at the breakdown. Alex Dolly then extended the lead with a penalty kick. 17-13.

In the 75th minute, Ealing snatched one final try as they gathered a dropped ball and shipped it out quickly. Tom Collins dotted it down in the corner but the conversion was missed, 17-18. 

Doncaster grafted to regain passion and Alex Dolly slotted one more kick, securing a 20-18 win. The scrum half was then named man of the match over the tannoy before intercepting Ealing’s pass and allowing Donny to take the ball into touch. Full time, 20-18. 

Post match, Joe Ford praised the forwards for a huge effort. Hear what he had to say: 

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their Doncaster Knights to face Ealing in the return of Championship Rugby this weekend. 

It has been over a month since our last game, but our front row is unchanged from the Caldy fixture. George Roberts will be our hooker, next to loosehead Logovi’i Mulipola and tighthead Joe Jones. 

Josh Williams comes into the second row to join captain, Ben Murphy. Rhys Tait returns to the back row, shifting Morgan Strong back to eight and Adam Hopkinson to six. 

Ben Chapman is our hooker on the bench, with props Conor Davidson and Lewis Thiede also ready to swap in. Second row, Cory Teague and back row, Archie Smeaton also line up amongst the replacements.

Our half back pairing is unchanged as Alex Dolly and Morgan Bunting claim the starting jerseys. However, Russell Bennett is set to make his return from an MCL injury as he is named on the bench!

Our reliable centre partnership of Connor Edwards and Zach Kerr remains the same. With Telusa Veainu returning to line up in the back three, with Semesa Rokoduguni and Maliq Holden on the wings.

Ollie Fox is our replacement scrum half, joined on the bench by another injury returner, George Wacokecoke. 

Starting XV | 15, Telusa Veainu. 14, Semesa Rokoduguni. 13, Zach Kerr. 12, Connor Edwards. 11, Maliq Holden. 10, Morgan Bunting. 9, Alex Dolly. 1, Logovi’I Mulipola. 2, George Roberts. 3, Joe Jones. 4, Ben Murphy (C). 5, Josh Williams. 6, Adam Hopkinson. 7, Rhys Tait. 8, Morgan Strong.

Replacements | 16, Ben Chapman. 17, Conor Davidson. 18, Lewis Thiede. 19, Cory Teague. 20, Archie Smeaton. 21, Ollie Fox. 22, Russell Bennett . 23, George Wacokecoke.

Unavailable For Selection | Thom Smith, Arthur Green, Harry Davey, Jordan Olowofela

It is set to be a huge game as we won by one point earlier in the season. Every bit of support counts! Grab your tickets now and get behind the Knights!! TICKETS 

Here is your guide to Doncaster v Ealing, all the important information for Saturday’s game!

• 14:30 PM Kick-Off
• Saturday 22nd March
• Castle Park

Turnstiles open from 12:00!

Tickets: 

Tickets for the fixture are cheaper when purchased online, however can be bought from the ticket window on the day. 

The ticket window is located around the back of the Lloyd De Mulder stand.

U16s tickets are FREE but they must still get a ticket to get through the turnstiles. 

GET TICKETS

Turnstiles: 

We have now added turnstiles to the ground allowing easier and quicker match day access! It is as simple as scanning your ticket at the gate to trigger entry through the turnstile!

We have worked with the engineers to speed up the function of the turnstiles. To help with a smooth entry to the ground, where possible, please distribute e-tickets so that each fan has their own ticket on their own device. If this is not possible – please can the ticket holder scan everyone through before entering the ground last.

Parking:

Parking is available on site and operates on a first come, first serve basis. 

Parking is also available for £3 at Outwood Academy Danum, which is just a short walk away from the ground.

Food and Drink: 

We will have a variety of Food and Drink options available on match day. All bars will be open! 

BRAND NEW DONUTS! We have now started selling donuts on all of our bars! 

Our famous Cow Pie will be available at the Knights Fayre, along with a selection of other hot food. You can also purchase pasties and hot drinks at the end of the concourse bar.

CAM Coffee will be on site for hot drinks and you can purchase your sweet treats from the sweet van! 

Live Sport: 

We will be showing the following games in the concourse:

Ireland v France (Women’s Six Nations)

Saracens v Harlequins (Premiership)

Bristol v Exeter (Premiership)

Club Shop:

Club shop will be open from 12!

Back row, Morgan Strong previews this weekend’s home fixture against league leaders, Ealing Trailfinders. 

Our Saturday fixture against Ealing is the first game in over a month, Strong explained how the team have been preparing: 

“I think first of all, it’s quite nice to have a break sometimes. We’ve obviously played, so many games this season, I think up to 20 already, including pre season. So just to have a week off to let the body refresh, and mind refresh is good.” 

We’ve come back and been out hiking, lot’s of team bonding, a lot of hard work. We’ve kind of treated it as a mini pre-season, with a lot of like mentally challenging stuff.”

So, coming in with big rows, the S&C team have taken a big role over the last month. And I think after the last week of training, we’ve sort of come together nicely. We trained against Sale last Friday, had a good session and yeah, we feel like we’re in a good place, ready for Ealing on Saturday.” 

Strong highlighted the importance of maintaining the team’s bond across the game-less period: “It’s always really important. And, I think one thing from Doncaster this year, we’ve been really quite hot on that. In pre-season, there was a lot of stuff we did where we got off camp, to get out and build relationships.”

It’s quite easy to probably forget those relationships, when you’re not playing. I know it’s nearly the end of the season, but, you know, we’re still a new side that are coming together from other places. So all this team boding stuff, all the stuff we do outside of the club, it just adds towards us getting the results on the field.” 

The Knights have not played since the Premiership Cup. Strong said: “I feel like the cup in general has been huge for us this year, we should have beaten Newcastle in the first block, we should have beaten Sale at home. Got a good win away against Caldy which is never easy. And then you look at this block just gone, two really good wins.”

To nil Caldy at home and to beat Sale on TNT on a Friday night. You know, the first Doncaster side to ever beat a Premiership side it’s pretty special.” 

“I think we’ve really used the momentum of the Cup, I think that showed last time when we had Cambridge at home straight after the cup. It was a great performance and we’re looking to back up again with Ealing this weekend.” 

Doncaster defeated Ealing at their ground earlier in the season, by just one point. Strong explained what the team are expecting this weekend. 

“I think, like we said about us having a couple of weeks off, they’ve been playing against Premiership opposition and playing well. So we’re expecting, arguably our toughest test of the season this Saturday. But you know, we’re more than ready for the challenge and like I said the other day, they’re kind of the easiest team to get up for in the championship because you know that if you don’t turn up on the day, they’re a bloody good team.”

So for us this weekend, you know, we graft hard for 80 minutes, keep ourselves in the game and anything can happen. We’re really excited to welcome them here and we’re looking for a good result.” 

Strong shared how having the home fans behind us will impact the squad: “I spoke about it before this season, when when you’re driving into the ground and you see the home fans, dressed up in their Knights outfit, and all that, it goes a long way. To come out in front of your home fans, It’s always special. So hopefully we can get another W in front of our home fans and, you know ,really get our season up and running.” 

Secure your ticket now to get behind the Knights this weekend. BOOK NOW

Doncaster Knights are pleased to share that the club has met the Minimum Standards Criteria Audit for Premiership Rugby 25/26. 

The RFU statement is as follows:

The Men’s Professional Rugby Board (MPRB) has reviewed the independent audit of all clubs in the Premiership as well as those Championship clubs who applied to be assessed for promotion against the league’s current minimum standards criteria.  The audit included three Championship clubs – Coventry Rugby, Doncaster Knights and  Ealing Trailfinders.

All existing Premiership Rugby clubs met the leagues minimum standards criteria as did Championship club Doncaster Knights.  Coventry Rugby and Ealing Trailfinders did not meet the requirements principally as they were not able to evidence planning permission being in place, and in the case of Ealing Trailfinders that appropriate assurances in respect of safety compliance were in place.

It is clear that the minimum standard required for stadium capacity has proved to be a major hurdle for clubs with the ambition to join the Premiership. In June 2024, Premiership Rugby and the RFU consulted with Championship clubs and agreed a phased runway to reach the required capacity of 10,001 such that the ground is then governed by relevant safety legislation. It was agreed that a promoted club could phase the development of the 10,001 capacity requirement of its home ground over four seasons – year 1, 5,000, years 2 and 3, 7,500, and Year 4, 10,001 subject to there being planning permission in place at the time of audit.  It was hoped that this change in criteria would enable more clubs from the Championship to be able to meet the required stadium size and safety standards to be considered for promotion.

Whilst we are disappointed that this did not have the effect all were expecting thus far, the MPRB is committed to supporting aspirational clubs and will work with the chair of the recently established Tier 2 Board, to support Championship clubs and develop a model where those aspiring clubs can have a clearer pathway to operating safely and sustainably within the Premiership. 

Mike McTighe, Men’s Professional Rugby Board Chair said: “We are in a new era for the men’s professional game and there are ongoing and very live conversations about how we can build an investable framework that ensures that it is sustainable. While right now only one Championship club is meeting the requirements that would enable them to come into the league, we are working hard to ensure that is not always the case and that we apply the right flexibility and support where it’s appropriate.
 
“We know how hard those clubs with aspirations to join the Premiership are working both to generate the required investment to be sustainable within that league and to ensure they have the required infrastructure to support themselves. This forms a vital part of the ongoing discussion and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, from the clubs and organisations who run both leagues, to many others, because we recognise that in the future, new and innovative approaches are going to be required.”

Join the Most Ambitious Rugby Club in Yorkshire – Doncaster Knights
Full-Time | Events Manager | Up to £32,500 (DOE)

We’re looking for a dynamic and commercially driven Events Manager to take ownership of events delivery and revenue generation at Castle Park – home of the Doncaster Knights.

You’ll be the driving force behind our event sales, lead generation, and retention strategy, as well as managing the delivery of a diverse range of events including weddings, conferences, matchday hospitality, parties and more.

Reporting to the Head of Hospitality and Events, this role is both strategic and hands-on – perfect for someone who loves to hit targets, convert sales, deliver amazing customer experiences, and motivate a high-performing team.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and grow our events business with a strong focus on sales, lead generation and revenue growth
• Responsible forbudgeting, forecasting, and achieving financial targets
• Oversee the planning and delivery of all events from concept to completion
• Build lasting client relationships and ensure repeat business and referrals
• Lead, inspire and manage our small but mighty events team

What You’ll Need:

• A proven track record in event sales, business development and event delivery
• Strong leadership and people management experience
• Confidence in working towards and exceeding revenue targets
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across departments
• Experience in a sports, hospitality or commercial venue setting (preferred)

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

TO APPLY: Send your CV & Cover letter to recruitment@castle-park.co.uk 

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 13th April (11:59pm)

Doncaster Demons continue to make history as they return to Castle Park for another double header this weekend. Fielding two women’s teams for the second weekend this season.

Make sure to get down to Castle Park on Sunday and show your support for BOTH teams!

Sunday 9th March – 2:30PM Kick Offs.

1XV v Derby Women

2XV v West Park Leeds

The Phoenix are also fielding two teams this weekend on Saturday, so you can get your Doncaster Rugby fix on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Saturday 8th March – 3PM Kick Offs 

1XV v Scarborough

2XV v Cleckheaton 

Fundraising: 

Doncaster Demons are continuing their fundraising, and will be hosting a car wash on Saturday – for a small donation, you can have your car washed while watching Phoenix play!

They will also be having a bake sale during their double header on Sunday. We hope to see as many of you as possible at Castle Park over the weekend! 

Despite the break in the Championship season, our Doncaster Knights’ players out on loan are still getting stuck in to National League rugby.

Calvin Mitchell, Will Metcalfe and James Harrison all contributed to Bury St Edmunds’ huge win against Guernsey on Saturday (32-25).

A man of the match performance from Calvin Mitchell resulted in dominant scrummaging, and a big shift from James Harrison contributed to 100% line out success. Scrum half, Will Metcalfe claimed the first try for the home team.

Bury’s DOR Jacob Ford told the team’s media: “Calvin Mitchell… [was] big for us today. All our forwards were brilliant, 100 per cent at the line-out, didn’t concede a maul try, scored one ourselves and very dominant in the scrum against one of the league’s biggest packs. So that was a big pillar for our success and hopefully it’ll give us the momentum we need to break into the top five over our final six games.”

Read their full match report here! 

All photo credit: beanstalkmedia.co.uk

Castle Park, home of Doncaster Knights, is looking to recruit an experienced Receptionist/Events Administrator, full-time.

The role is crucial to the business and the successful candidate will be the face of the rugby and events stadium.

The candidate should be able to speak to all customers – from rugby fans to business owners.

Working as part of the events team, the role requires someone who is extremely organised and is willing to work under pressure.

The role will be office based at Doncaster Knights Rugby Club, Armthorpe, Doncaster.

Closing date: 14th March. 

View the full job Description HERE – Doncaster Knights Job Description

How to apply: Email your cover letter and CV to event@castle-park.co.uk

10 years ago this month, our wonderful photographer John Ashton, or more commonly known by his social media handle, @ickledot took his first photos of the club & has been coming back ever since!

In honour of John’s 10 years at the club, here is a look back at 10 of his brilliant snaps!

2. Bristol Bears v Doncaster Knights, Championship play off final, second leg at Ashton Gate, 16,000 in the crowd.

3. Doncaster Knights v Bristol, Tyson Lewis in ‘typical try scoring mode’

4. Morgan Bunting kicks & the ball boy mimics his action

5. Rory Pitman behind a scrum

6. Post match team picture after the second leg of the play off final, Knights won the game, but were beaten on aggregate          

7. Telusa Veainu on his way to score against Newcastle at Kingston Park

8. The full time whistle at this season’s huge away win in Ealing

9. Ben Hunter breaks free of the maul to score against Pirates

10. Thom Smith celebrates Telusa Veainu’s try against Sale Shark

Thank you for capturing special moments and memories John!
John has recently released a photo book of the Knights through 2024, browse & shop here: https://mixam.co.uk/print-on-demand/6784df0b099f4d32fd1bc3f1