The Knights were on the end of a ruthless performance by Jersey Reds this afternoon, losing 22-47.

Despite two good second half tries from Josh Tyrell and Dougie Flockhart, Doncaster left Castle Park without reward for their efforts.

Jersey Reds entered the match on the back an impressive victory over Yorkshire Carnegie and showed they are a force to be reckoned with this season as they dotted down seven times.

The match started in a frustrating fashion, with the away side turning the ball over, eventually forcing a lineout, which they drove over from the maul to score in the opening encounters.

It was an instant reply though for the Knights on seven minutes as Cameron Cowell used his quick feet and pace to break through the Jersey defence and sprint 35 metres out to score. Kurt Morath added the extras to level the scoreline.

The Reds replied soon after through Mark Best, as the visitors were patient in the attack with the centre stretching over in the corner.

Kurt Morath closed the lead after 25 minutes with a penalty kick, as the Knights looked to gain a foothold in the match. That soon slipped with just moments away from the half time whistle. James Newby found a gap from inside the Doncaster 22, after a driving maul from the away side. Best added the extras to make it 10-19 to Jersey Reds at the break.

The momentum of the second half continued from the Channel Islanders with two quick tries within 15 minutes of the restart from Charlie Maddison and Aaron Penberthy.

Josh Tyrell dotted down to keep up the home sides hope of a losing bonus point. The Samoan International made a great break into the Jersey 22, before offloading to Joel Matavesi, who looked to score only to be brought down inches from the try line. Tyrell was on hand though from the ruck to drive over.

The Knights kept up the pressure and had their best spell of the match pushing the Jersey side further and further into their own half. Their efforts were rewarded when Dougie Flockhart slide over on his first start of the season, before converting it as well to set up a tense finish.

However, the visitors had different ideas and extended the lead through two quick tries from Janco Venter and Augustin Slowik with both converted as well.

Match Statistics

Knights XV: 15. Cowell 14. Flockhart 13. Clark 12. Matavesi 11. Lewis (58′ Seniloli) 10. Morath (52′ Foley) 9. James 1. Hislop (46′ Williams) 2. Hunter (62′ Nelson) 3. Quigley (52′ Sproston (78′ Quigley)  4. Challinor 5. Hicks 6. Calladine 7. Hills (64′ Civetta) 8. Tyrell

Replacements: 16. Nelson 17. Williams 18. Sproston 19. Civetta 20. Malcolm 21. Senioli 22. Foley

Jersey Reds XV: 15. Slowik 14. Marx 13. Newey 12. Best (58′ Herron) 11. Van Dam 10. Penberthy (70′ Herron (70′ Best)  9. Homer (63′ Waters) 1. Godfrey (38′ Morley) 2. Maddison (52′ Selway) 3. Atalifo (63′ Rodman) 4. Sexton 5. Beckett (60′ Bartle) 6. Argyle 7. Joyce (76′ Venter) 8. Venter (70′ Upfield)

Replacements: 16. Selway 17. Morley 18. Rodman 19. Bartle 20. Upfield 21. Waters 22. Herron

Attendance: 996

Referee: John Meredith