Doncaster continued their winning streak with an impressive defensive performance under the Lady Bay Friday night lights against Nottingham, with a 17-13 victory.

A second try of the season from James Malcolm was followed up in the second half by another superb supportive run from Tom James to dot down. Yet it was at the other end of the pitch that shone through with some strong tackling and defensive solidly.

The Knights started off the match in good fashion and were rewarded for their positive early pressure with a try after 15 minutes.

James Malcolm drove over from a maul to score his second try in a Doncaster shirt with Dougie Flockhart converting to give the Knights an early 10-0 lead.

The rest of the half was an even affair with the Knights holding firm in the defence on a number of occasions.

Nottingham did put their first points on the board though after 29 minutes, with a Gareth Lyons penalty. The number 10 had the chance to score again but kicked wide just moments before half time.

It was the hosts that started the second half on the front foot with an try within the opening minute. Lyons was on hand to make the score line all square.

Doncaster replied in equally as good fashion, after a good period of pressure Will Owen found a gap with some quick feet and raced into the Nottingham 22. The centre looked for support and was grateful to see Tom James sprinting to his left, the scrum-half dotted down with ease to regain Doncaster’s lead.

Nottingham got back into the match with a penalty from Lyons and were spurred on as the hosts began to spring into life after that try and had a number of chances to put the Knights under pressure in the second half. However several knock ons and some strong tackles earned Doncaster their second consecutive victory in the Championship Cup.

Match Statistics

Knights XV 15. Cowell 14. Flockhart 13. Creed 12. Owen (77’ Hayes) 11. McColl(60′ Jarvisl) 10. Foley (13’Connon)  9. James 1. Hislop (50’Williams) 2. Malcolm (62’Quigley) 3. Sproston (70’ Quigley) 4. Challinor © 5. Eames 6. Ryan 7. Booth 8. Pitman

Replacements: 16. Nelson(77’ Malcolm) 17. Williams 18. Quigley 19. Hunter 20. Jarvis 21. Connon 22. Hayes

Tries: Malcolm, James Conversions: Flockhart 2 Penalties: Flockhart

Nottingham XV 15. Scanlon 14. Spittle(21’Cobden) 13. Millett 12. Peters 11. Robinson 10. Lyons 9. Veenendaal(51′ McConnell) 1. Penman(71′ Thornton) 2. Cole(57′ Farnworth) 3. Daniels 4. Jones(71’Cardall) 5. Qualter 6. Buckley(71’Cox) 7. Coghlan 8. Poullett

Replacements; 16. Farnworth 17. Thornton 18. Heffernan 19. Cardall 20. Cox 21. Cobden 22. McConnell

Tries: Pennan Conversions: Lyons 1 Penalties: Lyons 2