Some of our players and sponsors have spent the morning working with the Doncaster Knights Rotary Club at the Armthorpe Food Support. Cory and Conor helped with packing food parcels, care packages and Christmas gifts before heading out to deliver them to people who need support in the local community (Armthorpe).

The Armthorpe Food Support helps residents of Armthorpe on a weekly basis, but extra helping hands were needed for this week’s Christmas double delivery. They raise money to receive fresh food from ASDA every week, but today’s delivery included extra Christmas goodies, such as, Christmas presents, mince pies, Christmas cake, cheese, selection boxes and much much more.

Our Doncaster Knights Rotary club are always on the look out for ways that they and the club can help in the local community! For new people or businesses who want to get involved with the rotary, email towen@castle-park.co.uk. 

 

 

Albemarle Homes are a family-run homebuilding business with properties across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. They pride themselves on providing top-tier quality housing at a reasonable price for their communities, whilst promising to supply houses and everything inside that will stand the test of time.
This season, Albemarle continued their sponsorship commitment, appearing as a kit sponsor on the sleeve of our 150th anniversary shirt. As a kit sponsor, we also gifted Albemarle with a signed framed shirt for them to hang in their office as a thank you for their support to the club.

This deal would not have happened without the support from Albemarle’s Managing Director, Daryll Barker, and Land & Planning Manager, Bryn Iwanyckyj. Bryn shared their thoughts saying how “we are committed to the communities where we build, from supporting local schools and grassroots initiatives to sponsoring the professionals. We believe that investing in local projects helps strengthen communities and create lasting connections that go far beyond the homes we deliver. We are delighted to once again be a sponsor for the Doncaster Knights and wish them continued success for the season.”

Tom Foy, Commercial Manager at Doncaster Knights, shared his delight in the deal extension: “We are proud to work with an organisation who puts the community at the heart of their business providing new homes in our local community. I was especially impressed to learn about ‘The Albemarle Standard’ which means that people buying their new home will get modern features and a premium finish as standard.”

This agreement is a prime example of community support within the Doncaster area, and testament of the relationship between Albemarle and the club. It is a relationship that everyone involved hopes will continue to evolve for years to come. To learn more about all offerings Albemarle Homes have, you can read more on their website.

If you are interested about the sponsorship opportunities at Doncaster Knights, contact Tracey Owen via email: towen@castle-park.co.uk; or via telephone 01302 831388.

Over the past few weeks Doncaster Knights have been collecting gifts to be donated to Cash for Kids mission Christmas! 

As well as Knights fans dropping off items to the club, every single one of our players also donated a handful of gifts each.

All together the club has managed to gather 100 gifts, which were hand delivered to the Doncaster drop off point by Telusa Veainu and Conor Davidson. 

About Cash4Kids Mission Christmas:

“Christmas for every child. That’s our mission.”

“Winter is drawing in, and cost-of-living pressures are still weighing heavily on families across the UK. For them, Christmas is a time of stark choices. Choices between heating their homes or buying food. Choices that strip away the magic of Christmas. No child should worry that Santa won’t come. Please donate a gift or give online.”

The deadline for donations is Wednesday 18th December so please do what you can to deliver gifts to your nearest drop off point while you still can! 

Find your nearest drop off point here!

 

Doncaster Knights scored all their points in the first half, but prevented Caldy from scoring any to claim a 22-0 victory in round eight. 

The Knights turned up just three minutes in to score their first try of the game. Our top try scorer, Jordan Olowofela added another to his tally. The back line moved the ball swiftly between each other before Russell Bennett put in a perfectly placed cross-field kick. Olowofela collected the ball comfortably and finished in the corner. 

Bennett also added the extras. 

Doncaster continued to look dangerous as they moved the ball quickly between each other. Olowofela and Veainu worked together really well on many occasions to gain meters. 

During the first 40, Doncaster did well to disrupt Caldy whenever they began to build any momentum. The most memorable example was a brilliant tap tackle from George Roberts that halted ex-knight Sproston from making a break. 

Donny continued to build and Semesa Rokoduguni threw a brilliant offload to Thom Smith out on the wing. Smith then carried brilliantly to take the ball over the line, claiming the second try of the day. 

Bennett’s conversion narrowly missed. 

Telusa Veainu made a fantastic break from 50m out and carried at pace to bring them into the 22, he drew in Caldy’s defence before shipping the ball across to Bennett. Bennett then showed great speed to finish the job, with a step and a hop to avoid the full-back before diving over. He added the extras to his own try. 

Caldy spent a little bit of time in attack towards the end of the first half, but the Knights worked hard to win the ball back and a chip and chase up the wing from Olowofela put them back in the 22. 

The visitor were then penalised for being offside and Doncaster opted to take the three points to claim some final points heading into the second half. Bennett showed great composure to slot it.

Half time score 22-0.

Donny had a much quieter second half, scoring no more points, however, it was a brilliant defensive effort from the Yorkshire lads to prevent Caldy from claiming any.

Veainu did well in the back field on multiple occasions when under pressure to kick exits and keep Caldy away from the try line. Will Parry also worked hard in defence to chase a Caldy break, dislodging the ball in the tackle to cause a knock on and allow the Knight possession. 

In the final five minutes, the Knights were defending the try line when Caldy had a 5m line out. The home team managed to turn the ball over and send it out to the backs, who worked their way into the opposing 22. However, a high pass sent the ball over Olowofela’s head and into touch. The full time whistle blew. 

Despite Doncaster regaining possession many times, they couldn’t quite convert it into any more points. Meaning the full time score remained 22-0. 

The Knights return to Castle Park after Christmas to face Hartpury on Sunday 29th of December. You can secure your ticket here! 

 

The statement from the RFU is as follows: 

“The RFU Disputes committee met, and the decision was made that the result of the Championship Round 7 fixture, Chinnor v Doncaster Knights, will stand.

The match was abandoned in the 68th minute due to floodlight failure, with Chinnor leading 18-13. The match result will be recorded as Chinnor 18-13 Doncaster Knights.”

In response, Doncaster Knights Board are currently reviewing the decision as we recognise that we have the right to appeal, and have a 7 day period to submit our appeal. 

Doncaster Knights are set to face Caldy in round eight of the Championship. Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their squad for the fixture: 

The front row remains the same as previous weeks, Andrew Turner and Joe Jones at prop with Hooker, George Roberts in the middle.

Captain, Ben Murphy is joined by Adam Hopkinson in the second row. Hopkinson will be making his return from injury after spending three months out due to a broken hand. 

There is just one change to the starting back row. With our usual number 7 Rhys Tait out on Scotland duty, Arthur Green comes in to make his first start for the Knights after a series of impressive performances off the bench. 

The forward replacements consist of props, Japser McGuire and Logovi’i Mulipola, with ben Chapman set to come on as hooker. Archie Smeaton and Taniela Ramasibana are the back row and second row replacements. 

Our half backs remain unchanged, with Alex Dolly at scrum half and Russell Bennett at fly half, set to be replaced by Ollie Fox and Morgan Bunting. George Wacokecoke comes back into the starting line up to pair with Connor Edwards in the centres. 

Our back-three remains unchanged, Telusa Veainu at full back, with Jordan Olowofela and Semesa Rokoduguni on the wings. Centre, Will Parry is set to make his home debut off the bench. 

You can still get tickets to this fixture – BUY NOW. 

Kick off is 2:30PM on Saturday (14th December).

Starting XV | 15, Telusa Veainu. 14, Semesa Rokoduguni. 13, George Wacokecoke. 12, Connor Edwards. 11, Jordan Olowofela. 10, Russell Bennett. 9, Alex Dolly. 1, Andrew Turner. 2, George Roberts. 3, Joe Jones. 4, Ben Murphy (C). 5, Josh Williams. 6, Thom Smith . 7, Arthur Green. 8, Morgan Strong.

Replacements | 16, Ben Chaoman. 17, Jasper McGuire. 18, Logovi’i Mulipola. 19, Archie Smeaton. 20, Adam Hopkinson. 21, Ollie Fox. 22, Morgan Bunting. 23, Will Parry. 

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Cory Teague, Conor Davidson, Josh Williams.

 

All the important information for Saturday’s game!

• Doncaster Knights v Caldy
• 14:30 PM Kick-Off
• Saturday 14th December
• 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.

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 and The Sportsman pub, both are a just a short walk away. 

Food and Drink: 

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

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:

• Bulls vs Northampton 
• Ulster vs Bordeaux 
• Tigers vs Sharks 
• Harlequins vs Stormers

Club Shop:

Club shop will be open from 12! 

DROPPING OFF PRESENTS FOR Mission Christmas – CashforKids: 

If you are brining presents to be donated to the Mission Christmas cause, please drop them off in the club shop! 

The leaders of the 12 Championship clubs have asked the President of the RFU to convene a Special General Meeting of the union and to hold a debate on a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the RFU Board of Directors, Tom Ilube and in the Chief Executive Officer of the RFU, Bill Sweeney.

The decision to send the letter to the President was taken following a vote at a meeting of club chairs on December 5th in which all 12 clubs were represented.

In the letter, the clubs stated that they could no longer stand by and allow the current situation and the unaccountable decision making that led to it, to continue without challenge.

They said that they would be urging all other clubs and members of the union to support their call for an SGM and a vote of no confidence, so that the first steps to fundamental change could be taken.

The clubs will act individually when it comes to arguing for or voting on any no-confidence motions that might arise at an SGM, but acted collectively in their call to hold that meeting.’

Doncaster Knight, Rhys Tait has been selected to be apart of Scottish Rugby’s ‘Emerging Scotland’ team.

Head Coach Joe Ford said: “We are all really proud of Rhys. He has been on fire this season and this oppertunity is a real credit to all his hard work. And also a credit to Daz’s [Darren Fearn’s] hard work too. He’s been great for Rhys and all the forwards in helping them develop their game.” 

Everyone at Doncaster Knights wishes Rhys good luck for the game against Italy U23’s! 

Congratulations Rhys! 

Doncaster Knights are very excited to share that you will be able to watch our Premiership Rugby Cup round Five fixture against Sale Sharks on TNT Sports & Discovery Plus! 

Please note that because of this, the fixture has now moved to FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7th! 

If you can’t make it to Sale and don’t have TNT Sports, we will be opening the bars and showing the game LIVE on the big screen! More details on this will be released closer to the time. 

 

Doncaster Knights’ round seven fixture against Chinnor has been abandoned due to a power cut that turned the pitch to darkness.

The decision as to whether the game will be replayed, or if the result will stand as it was, is now in the hands of the RFU. The RFU will discuss and inform the clubs of the decision in due course.

The extreme weather conditions resulted in a messy first half where set piece was frequent, but difficult to execute due to high winds and heavy rain.

Chinnor slotted an early penalty to secure the first points of the game and moments later extended the lead with a try.

In the lead up to their try Chinnor opted to tap and go from a penalty in the 22. It proved to be the correct decision considering the conditions as eventually their forwards rolled over the line. An impressive kick in the wind meant they were 10-0 up.

A Doncaster high tackle gifted Chinnor another three points before the Knights began to apply pressure.

They spent about 10 minutes in attack and just before the half time whistle George Roberts powered over the line.

The Knights came out fighting in the second half. Rhys Tait made a brilliant turnover at the breakdown to put Doncaster in attack.

Jordan Olowofela collected a high ball brilliantly as Alex Dolly box kicked to gain territory. The Knights then worked their way into the 22 and Russell Bennett kicked a penalty to close the scores.

With both teams desperate for territory and possession, there was continuous kicking back and forth. However, when Doncaster kicked to clear again, it was charged down by Chinnor and they just got to the ball on time to ground it over the line. The conversion was missed.

Doncaster soon answered back as Bennett put in a brilliant cross field kick. Zach Kerr chased it, collected it and grounded it.

The Knights continued to appear dominant with the momentum of the try behind them. And, with an attacking scrum in Chinnor’s half, they looked hungry for another score.

However, just as the forwards prepared to scrummage, the ground went pitch black. The score at the time of the power cut was Chinnor 18 – 13 Doncaster Knights.

Chinnor attempted to fix the floodlights, but with the cause likely to be storm damage, there was no option but to postpone the fixture.

Doncaster Knights will inform the supporters of the next steps as soon as we are aware.

A special thank you to all the supporters who made the effort to come down and cheer on the team in these conditions.