Knights 13 Moseley 28

The Knights returned to Castle Park Championship action for the first time in over a month to take on a Moseley side buoyed by a big win over high-flying London Scottish last weekend and a poisitive cup run.

The Knights entered the game have put up a spirited display against the bookies Champions elect at Ashton Gate but, ultimately, returned with zero points and slipped four places in the Championship table.

Doncaster started fiercely and were on the attack soon after kick off, punching holes in the Moseley defence with some powerful carries. The pressure created a gap which Dougie Flockhart raced through, the winger was hauled down a couple of feet short of the visitors try line but the Knights quickly recycled. Following a couple of further carries, scrum half Bruno Bravo showed good presence of mind to dart over from short range. Flockhart successfully converted and the Knights looked very sharp indeed.

Unfortunately, this moment in the game’s opening five minutes was as good as it got for the Knights, as they turned in a performance well below the standard of those seen at Castle Park so far this point this season.

Immediately from the restart Moseley were able to win back possession, before the Knights were pinged at the ruck for an infringement. This allowed Northampton Saints Fly-half Sam Olver a first kick at goal of the afternoon, he made no mistake and barely put a foot wrong all game finishing with a personal total of 23 points.

In very foggy conditions both teams looked to test each others handling with plenty of hanging high kicks. Errors were made by both sides and indiscipline meant both Flockhart and Olver got further shots at goal. With quarter of an hour gone the score was,13-6 to the Knights.

As the half wore on Moseley grew into the game. The Knights did show glimpses of attacking originality, one well-worked line out move almost sent Ben Hunter in the corner, but more and more the majority of better rugby was being played by the visitors.

Whilst the Knights lineout looked solid throughout the afternoon, they were put under the cosh at scrum time. The first few engagements saw penalties either way but the Moseley scrum seemed to improve as the game grew. It was following a scum that Mose picked up their next points, referee Steven Lee awarded the visitors a penalty as both packs went down and Olver was on target again.

With half time looming the Knights were forced to work harder in defence and superb individual efforts from back rowers Michael Hills and Alex Shaw forced turnovers when their team looked extremely vulnerable. In fact the Knights weren’t short of individual moments of class, Paul Jarvis enjoy several trademark, line-breaking runs but unfortunately Doncaster never looked like capitalizing on them.

The closing stages of the first forty were played deep in Doncaster territory but Moseley were unable to breach the Knights line. Another penalty at the scrum gave Olver a chance to kick his side to within a point, he was successful and shortly after the half time whistle went, 13-12.

The fog drew in thick for the second half but the home side made a decent start. Winning possession from a line out in the Moseley territory they were awarded a penalty after a long messy breakdown. Unfortunately Flockhart pushed his effort just wide.

Both side’s continued to seek advantage through the boot, one particular exchange came to an end when the impressive Will Owen carried powerfully in to the Knights half and won his side a penalty.

With little over five minutes of second half action played the first substitution of the game was made, as referee Steven Lee was replaced by his assistant Deano Maddern. The exact reason for the swap is still unknown but it prompted some jeers from the home crowd who had, had little to shout about since the opening few minutes.

With the new referee in position the Knights had a lineout to defend just inside their own 22m. The week previous, versus Bristol, the Knights lineout defence had been exemplary but not this time. A well structured driving maul was formed by the visitors and they managed to push their way over the Donny line for their first try of the afternoon. Number eight Chris Brightwell, was the man to ground the ball and Olver slotted the extras, meaning the Knights trailed for the first time in the game.

Almost immediately after the lead was extended, as good play forced a penalty out of the stretched Donny defence and Olver took full advantage once more, 22-13.

Griff rung in the changes looking to inject so energy into his side but Mose continued to stick to their systems whilst the Knights suffered from further indiscipline and handling errors. Olver added a further two penalties to his collection but in truth, had it not been for some committed individual efforts the visitors could have ran in a bigger score.

With time almost up the Knights looked to mount a final attack but were unable to produce anything of real purpose and the game ended with Knights knock on.

One that won’t live too long in the memory, hopefully, but the Knights will need to be much better next weekend as they welcome London Scottish.

Match Statistics

Knights XV

15) Paul Jarvis, 14) Dougie Flockhart, 13) Rhys Williams, 12) Bevon Armitage, 11) Tyson Lewis, 10) Paul Roberts (Jamie Lennard 53’), 9) Bruno Bravo (Jack Maplesden 72’), 1) Riccardo Brugnara, 2) Ben Hunter (Jack Bergmanas 75’), 3) Colin Quigley (Richard List 62’), 4) Matt Challinor, 5) Tyler Hotson (Glen Kenworthy 68’), 6) Latu Makaafi (Phil Eggleshaw 62’), 7) Michael Hills ©, 8) Alex Shaw

Tries; Bravo 3’

Conv; Flockhart 3’

Pens; Flockhart 9’, 15

Moseley XV

15) Michael Penn, 14) Drew Cheshire, 13) Scott Armstrong, 12) Will Owen, ?11) Josh Skelcey (Rory Hutchinson 75’), 10) Sam Olver, 9) Alex Day (David Brazier 78’) 01) Danny Hobbs-Ayowemi (Thomas Warren 70’), 02) Adam Caves (Scott Tolmie 65’), 03) Craig Voisey (Stephan Thorp 75’), 04) Greg Charlton, 05) Mike Powell (Niles Dacres 70’), 06) Neil Mason (Charlie Thomas 74’), 07) Ed Sigery, 08) Chris Brightwell

Tries; Brightwell 50’

Conv; Olver 50’,

Pens; Olver 3’, 12’, 28’, 36’, 55’, 68’, 73

Referee Steven Lee.

Attendance 1252