35-26

The Knights ended pre-season on a winning note as they prevailed 35-26 over a youthful but competitive Newcastle Falcons side.

On what was the first use of Castle Park’s exquisite new playing surface, nine penalty points from the boots of Simon Humberstone and Dec Cusack proved the difference with both sides registering four tries apiece

Donny started brightly and looked threatening from the off, generating plenty of quick and clean ball under the South Yorkshire sun. The early pressure forced an indiscretion in the Falcons defense which was penalized and Humberstone opened the scoring.

Moments later the lead was increased with the first try of the game.

Another penalty in midfield was put to touch just inside the visitors 22m and the Knights began to attack from the favourable field position. Phases were quickly spun together until a half gap was spotted by Charlie Foley, the outside centre broke through before finding Tom James in support to race away and score. Humberstone slotted the extras; 10-0.

Newcastle responded with a prompt and direct response very shortly after. From a deep lineout the Falcons carried through the pack and set up a sequence of pick and go carries which ended with Fijian international Tevita Cavubati barging over from close range.

The remainder of the half belonged to Donny who looked very dangerous out wide and pleasingly assured at the set piece. A Ben Hunter charge down almost stood up perfectly for Tom James but the final bounce of the ball was unkind and the Falcons cleared.

The fans didn’t have to wait much longer for a second Doncaster try, however, as Humberstone finished a lovely piece of counter attack rugby. A powerful hit from Junior Bulumakau forced a fumble which was quickly scooped up. Charlie Foley set off with support and a series of offloads resulted in the fly half getting Donny’s second. He converted the effort – 17-7 

Both sides showed glimpses as the the game creped towards the interval with the Knights

offloading game looking particularly potent but neither could muster a further try. A high tackle on Will Owen drew another penalty and Humberstone converted to make it 20-7 at the break.

Both sides made a changes at the change of ends and it was the Falcons who seemed to adjust better; coming out of the blocks showing notable improvement. A fast start quickly became points after flanker Harrison Orr spotted a gap on the blindside and carried before feeding Ruaridh Dawson to sprint away and score.

The try woke the Knights up a little and they reacted with a couple of nicely worked attacking phases.

Another midfield penalty was put through the uprights, this time by Dec Cusack meaning the Knights held an eleven-point advantage just short of the hour mark.

A couple of moments later it seemed as if the tie were over as Donny registered their third try of the game to make the score 28-12.  Sam Jones carried through the gain line in the Falcons 22m and with quick ball Foley broke smartly to feed Tyson Lewis who scored in the corner. Cusack was unable to convert but the Knights looked comfortable.

The Falcons had no intention of rolling over and reacted with a try of their own almost immediately. Having been the catalyst for the second try, Orr got on the score sheet himself with a fine running line to break and score more or less untouched. Craig Willis converted.

Dual-registered hooker Curtis Langdon scored his second try in as many games to reestablish the Knights lead but a lapse in defense in the dying stages allowed the Falcons the opportunity to finish on a through James Elliot. 

Match Statistics

Knights; 15) Paul Jarvis (Brett Connon 37’), 14) Junior Bulumakau (James Wright 69’), 13) Charlie Foley, 12) Will Owen, 11) Tyson Lewis (Seva Bulumakau 69’), 10) Simon Humberstone (Dec Cusack 40’), 9) Tom James (Michael Heaney 51’), 1) Rich List (Jack Bergmanas 50’), 2) Ben Hunter (Curtis Langdon 40’) (Owen Evans 69’), 3) Colin Quigley (Joe Sproston 40’), 4) Matt Challinor, 5) Morgan Eames (Tom Hicks 40’), 6) Sam Jones (Ian Williams 69’), 7) Michael Hills © (Alex Shaw 58’), 8) Aaron Carpenter (Jason Hill 47’)

Replacements; 16) Curtis Langdon, 17) Jack Bergmanas, 18) Joe Sproston 19) Tom Hicks, 20) Alex Shaw, 21) Michael Heaney, 22) Dec Cusack. Blank) Owen Evans, blank) Ian Williams, blank) Jason Hill, blank) Brett Connon, blank) James Wright blank) Seva Bulumakau

Tries; James 8’, Humberstone 22’, Lewis 58’, Langdon 68’

Conv; Humberstone 8’, 22’ Cusack 69’

Pens; Humberstone 3’, 33’, Cusack 53’

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Adam Radwan, 14 James Elliott, 13 Cameron Cowell, 12 Charlie Wilson, 11 Aedan Moloney, 10 Craig Willis, 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Sami Mavinga, 2 Santiago Socino, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 5 Josh Williams, 6 Harrison Orr, 7 Simon Uzokwe, 8 Ryan Burrows (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ben Sowrey, 17 Diogo Ferreira, 18 Adam Brocklebank, 19 Oli Robinson, 20 Rob Farrar, 21 Jake Rogers, 22 Liam Checksfield.

Tries; Cavubati 14’, Dawson 47’ Orr 60’, Elliot 79’

Conv; Willis 14’, 60’, 80’

Pens;