Doncaster produced a spirited display, but were defeated 14-43 by a quality Newcastle Falcons outfit this afternoon in the Championship Cup.

The Knights controlled much of the play in the first half as they entered the break frustratingly behind after a late score from the visitors. After the interval, Doncaster rallied back, but couldn’t overcome an impressive performance from the former Premiership side.

Newcastle started the game the fastest out of the blocks and dotted down before some fans had taken their seats. Malakai Wacokecoke dotting down within the opening couple of minutes after finding a gap in the defence.

That woke the Knights up and the home side soon started the play the best rugby supporters have seen this season.

Doncaster were rewarded for those efforts with a penalty try on the 19^th minute mark. A score well deserved for a dominant and exciting period of pressure.

The former Premiership side saw that as the que to up their game thoughand replied with a pen through Joel Hodgson.

Doncaster nearly secured their second try of the afternoon, when Connor Doherty made a good break into the 22. However, the centre had support in the form of new signing Fotu Lokotui as the flanker would’ve looked seemingly through to score had he received a pass.

The home side continued to control the game and were unfortunate not to add to their tally before the break.

Although the second half ended with the visitors on top as they scored a pick and go try after three line outs as Blamire drove over to make it 7-17 at the interval, once Hodgson had slotted away the conversion.

After the restart, Wacokecoke again was the first try scorer of the half as he sprinted clear from the Doncaster 10m line to dampen any hopes of the home side rallying back.

Yet, the Knights were not to be halted and kept driving forward and playing with the intensity they had shown in the first opening 40. After constant pressure from Clive Griffiths’ side and a number of penalties, Tom James made the all-important score as he darted over from close range to score his third try of the season. Olver converted from a tight angle to make it 14-22 after 50 minutes.

That momentum was soon squashed though as the visitors responded almost instantly when Newcastle’s hooker George McGuigan extended their lead with a catch and drive try. Hodgson added the extras to make the score 14-29 after 56 minutes.

Ben Stevenson scored the fifth try for the league leaders after intercepting a pass in his own half, with Hodgson adding the extras against the run of play.

The Falcons added another try late on through Wacokecoke to seal the victory, but the ex-Premiership outfit will have left Castle Park knowing they were in a game as Donny battled on until the final whistle.

Match Statistics

KNIGHTS XV: 15. Steve McColl(66’Cowell) 14. Kyle Evans 13. Connor Doherty 12. Charlie Foley 11. Howard Packman 10. Sam Olver(78’Hayes) 9. Tom James(68’Warr) 1. Robin Hislop(53’Thomas) 2. Ben Hunter(58’Edgson) 3. Dan Suter(53’Foster) 4. Matt Challinor 5. Rory Pitman(56’Sproston) 6. Wian Conradie 7. Fotu Lokotui 8. Tom Calladine(67’Hills)

Replacements: 16. George Edgson 17. Marc Thomas 18. Andy Foster 19. Michael Hills 20. Joe Sproston 21. Gus Warr 22. Lloyd Hayes 23. Cameron Cowell

Tries: Penalty try, James Conversions: Olver

Newcastle Falcons XV: 15 Alex Tait 14 George Wacokecoke 13 Tom Penn 12 Dominic Waldouck 11 Ben Stevenson 10 Joel Hodgson 9 Sam Stuart 1 Sam Lockwood 2 Jamie Blamire 3 Mark Tampin 4 Sebastian de Chaves 5 Sean Robinson 6 Philip van der Walt 7 Will Welch (captain) 8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan 17 Adam Brocklebank 18 Mike Daniels 19 Rob Farrar 20 Callum Chick 21 Sonatane Takulua 22 Brett Connon 23 Gareth Owen

Tries: Wacokecoke 3, McGuigan, Blamire, Stevenson Conversions: Hodgson 4 Penalties: Hodgson, Connon

Attendance: 1468