Knights Take Maximum Points Away to Hartpury

Doncaster Knights were dogged in their determination to run in the tries for a bonus point win against Hartpury at Alpas Arena this afternoon.

It was a case of getting through the first few minutes of the game without Hartpury going too far ahead as centre James Williams kicked three penalties in quick succession within the first 11 minutes, putting the hosts 9-0 up on the board.

The Knights responded in great fashion. A beautifully weighted out the back pass from George Simpson to Harry Davey allowed the full-back to break the line. Putting in the pass out to Jack Spittle on the wing, the Knights were crossing in the far corner.

It was a tough day for angles at the kicking tee as Sam Olver missed this his second attempt at place kicking.

Alex Dolly had a lovely break at pace having dummied everyone into believing the box-kick was on its way, showing the Knights intent to use any opportunity.

Another try came on the 20 minute mark. Quite simply a fantastically well-worked team try which Thom Smith happened to be on the end of, though special mention had to be given to Ben Murphy nuscling his way through the tackles on a charge for the line.

With a conversion from Olver, the Knights went 9-12 up – taking the lead for the first time. And it was a lead that they never relinquished for the remainder.

As half time was within 10 minutes of arriving, the Knights were crossing for a score again. A lovely ball from Connor Edwards in contact allowed Davey to break once more. He dummied once to Simpson before utilising his support line. The former Hartpury man darted to the line, tucking his feet to remain in play and touching down at a stretch.

It was touch and go when Olver first struck the ball, but the conversion attempt curled in nicely to go through the uprights for the extra 2 points.

The Knights ran into the changing rooms at half time with the scoreboard reading 9-19 and with determination to not relinquish their lead.

And so, it was rallying that the Knights were the first to score in the second 40 minutes. Davey danced around an onrushing defender to put the Knights on the front foot. Thom Smith then tore through the line as a loan man to charge for the line. Quick recycling find the ball in Simpson’s hands once more and with clean air and pace, there was no question of him completing the score.

Just three short minutes later, the Donny men were adding to their tally. Davey jink-stepped the defensive line for yet another time. He popped the ball up to Dolly from the floor with the scrum-half feeding Robbie Smith on the wing. The former Hartpury man halted in step to avoid an incoming defender before trotting in the score. A conversion from Olver added to the 9-31 scoreline.

As the hour mark came and went, Hartpury secured their first points of the second half. Knowing they had an advantage from their driving maul in the Knights 22, they went for the short recycles, eventually crashing over in a pile in the corner. Luke Stratford emerged claiming the score and Williams converted to make it the full 7 points.

With four minutes remaining and the Knights awarded a penalty in the centre of the field just inside the Hartpury half, Olver pointed for the sticks. A perfectly struck kick soared through the posts and proved to be the final points of the encounter.

Errors were still involved in the Knights game, but a bonus-point win at the Alpas Arena will do them well in the table in the long-run of the Championship season.

Match Statistics

Hartpury XV | 15 Jac Lloyd; 14 Jack Tovey, 13 Joe Jenkins, 12 Jimmy Williams, 11 Matthew McNab; 10 Tommy Matthews, 9 J B Bruzulier; 1 Aristot Benz-Salomon, 2 Ellis Shipp, 3 Sam Rodman, 4 Jack Davies, 5 Dale Lemon, 6 Sam Lewis, 7 Harry Short, 8 Mitch Eadie.

Replacements | 16 Luke Stratford, 17 Harry Fry, 18 Alex Gibson, 19 Ethan Staddon, 20 Joe Howard, 21 Jake Holcombe, 22 Oscar Lennon, 23 Brad Denty.

Tries: Stratford.

Cons: Williams.

Pens: Williams 3.

Knights XV | 15 Harry Davey; 14 Jack Spittle, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 George Simpson; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Edgson, 3 Mak Wilson, 4 John Kelly, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Sam Daly, 7 Sam Hudson, 8 Thom Smith.

Replacements | 16 George Roberts, 17 James Wayland, 18 Karl Garside, 19 Ehize Ehizode, 20 Martin Sigren, 21 Joe Green, 22 Robbie Smith, 23 Fraser Strachan.

Tries: Spittle, Simpson 2, T Smith, R Smith.

Cons: Olver 3.

Pens: Olver.

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