Donny give the fans a perfect final home game, beating Pirates 35-15

24th May 2025

Doncaster Knights displayed a very impressive final home game of the season during Doncaster’s 150th anniversary celebrations, excelling to a 35-15 win over Cornish Pirates.

Both teams put up an incredible fight as the first 25 minuites were scoreless. Eventually, Cornish Pirates opted to take the three points and go 0-3 up. 

But, moments later Telusa Veainu answered back with an impressive solo try, dancing around a handful of Pirates to run it in from over half way. 5-3. 

The Knights extended the lead again as Adam Hopkinson threw a long ball out to Russell Bennett who then carried into contact while offloading to Rokoduguni. Roko beat the final defender to go the rest of the way. 10-3. 

Archie Smeaton then added one more try before half time. Zach Kerr ran a hard line before disributing the ball out wide for Smeaton to power over in the corner. Alex Dolly added the extras, leaving the half time score 17-3. 

Logovi’i Mulipola began the second half on a positive note as he secured the bonus point. The Knights powered the driving maul over the line and Logo grounded it. 22-3. 

The Knights then spent a big period of time defending on the try line. It was a superb display of determination as the Knights stopped Pirates’ driving maul and re-gained possesion with a fantastic counter ruck. 

Donny then made their way down the other end of the pitch and Rhys Tait delayed his pass to Jordan Olowofela, opening up the space for Olowofela to run the try in. 27-3. 

Cornish Pirates then finally got themselves a try as winger, Matt McNab stretched the ball over in the corner, 27-8. 

The forwards played their part with a brilliant scrum penalty, allowing Bennett to kick for three, 30-8. 

Olowofela claimed his second score of the day thanks to a perfect kick from Ollie Fox. The Knights were on the counter attack and Fox spotted nobody in the back field, he put boot to ball and Olowofela showed his impressive pace to dot it over the line. 35-8. 

Cornish Pirates then snatched a convereted try with the clock in the red, leaving the full time score 35-15. 

Telusa Veainu was awarded player of the match. 

Next weekend, Doncaster look to protect their third place spot as they travel to Ampthill for the final game of the season.