Impressive Knights record league double over Carnegie with 29-16 Castle Park win.

The Knights entered this Yorkshire Regiment Trophy Clash with County rivals Carnegie having not tasted league victory since September’s 32-23 win at Headingley. Director of Rugby Clive Griffiths made a handful of changes from last weekend’s defeat to Worcester Wariors, notably Ume Fosita making his Castle Park debut at fly half.

A large crowd gathered for the all Yorkshire affair at Castle Park and the home side made a very strong start. The opening exchanges saw little for either side asides from some very solid looking scrums. That was until until Andy Bulumakau collected a deep clearance kick and set of on a mazy run.

The centre broke from his own half deep in to the Carnegie 22m before number eight Ryan Burrows hauled him down. Referee Tom Foley spotted a foul on the floor following the tackle and binned the Yorkshire skipper Ryan Burrows. Dougie Flockhart slotted the resulting penalty and the Knights were up and running.

Despite the man advantage the lead did not last long. Failure to roll away at the ruck gave Harry Leonard a shot at goal, centre of the pitch just outside the 22m, and he gladly slotted it over.

The game’s opening try was a pleasure to watch, a sweeping move from the right touchline found space in midfield for Donny. A well-timed pass from Bulumakau saw Tyson Lewis sprint home untouched, Flockhart added the extras. The visitors created a chance to immediately hit back with another penalty but this time Leonard was off target.

From this point on the Knights enjoyed the better of first half proceedings. Fosita’s kicking out of hand had the home crowd on song as the Knight enjoyed good field position and pressurized the visitors set piece. Opportunities fell for the Donny backs and Messrs.’; Lewis, Flockhart, Bulumakau and Jarvis all had half chances to add to the score. The Carnegie defences refused to bend but Flockhart kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty just after the 20- minute mark, 13-3.

The Knights continued to press but were kept on their toes when Carnegie produced an overlap in the 22m following a line out. Outnumbered, Tyson Lewis shot out of the line to make an imposing hit on Christian Georgiou forcing a forward pass out of the full back.

Doncaster were back on the attack shortly after and following some sterling work in defence by Mat Clark, Ume Fosita and Ben Hunter the ref’s arm was raised. Flockhart connected perfectly with the long-range effort to increase his side’s lead.

Two more cast iron chances fell the Knights way before the half. Firstly, a turnover deep in their own territory was spun to Paul Jarvis, the full-back chipped ahead and collected before a superb cover tackle from wing David Doherty prevented a second Knights try. Moments before the half time whistle some sustained pressure in the Carnegie final third looked like it had paid dividends when Alex Shaw crashed over towards the line. The number eight was unable to touch down but a penalty went the way of the home side. Dougie struck this one against the post and in the play that followed Jon Phelan collected and then scrum half Chris Pilgrim was shown a Yellow Card. No mistake from Flockhart second time around and the Knights took a 19-3 lead in to the break.

After what I imagine were some pretty stern words from Tommy McGee and the Carnegie coaching staff the visitors came out for the second half with a renewed zeal. Despite this opportunities still came for the Knights and when Phelan stole a Carnegie line out the overeager visiting defence were penalized. Flockhart was on target once more with first points of the second half.

The visitors made replacements and a quick succession of penalties saw Harry Leonard chip away at the Knights lead, with 55 minutes played the score was 22-9 and memories of Bedford and Moseley started to weigh on the minds of the home faithful. The would be no second half turn around today however as the on the hour mark a line out move that saw eleven players called into the line, set up a driving maul that bundled over the Carnegie line. Hooker Ben Hunter emerged with the ball and Flockhart converted to relieve home nerves.

Despite the twenty point deficit the West Yorkshiremen refused to roll over and replacement half back pairing Sam Edgerton and Louis Grimoldby gave a much need boost to the Carnegie backs. As the clock edged towards full time the visitors started to enjoy more and more possession, boosted by some indiscipline from Donny. A penalty in the home 22m was taken quickly by Edgerton and remarkably the scrum half worked his way over the line. Grimoldby converted but it was too little too late and the Knights held on to record an impressive victory.

The victory brings an end a nine game winless run in the Greene King IPA Championship for the Knights and gives a much needed confidence boost ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Penzance.

Match Statistics

Knights; 15. Paul Jarvis, 14. Dougie Flockhart, 13. Andy Bulumakau, 12. Mat Clark (Bevon Armitage 78’), 11. Tyson Lewis, 10. Ume Fosita, 9. Tomasi Palu, 1. Richard List (Tom Davies 57’), 2. Ben Hunter (Vili Veikoso 78’), 3. Colin Quigley (WillGriff John 69’), 4. Tyler Hotson 5. Jon Phelan (Latu Makaafi 65’), 6. Matt Challinor, 7. Michael Hills (C) 8. Alex Shaw

Replacements; 16. Tom Davies, 17. Vili Veikoso, 18. Latu Makaafi, 19. WillGriff John 20. Bevon Armitage, 21. Ollie Bryant, 22. Jack Maplesden.

Tries; Lewis 11’, Hunter 61’

Conv; Flockhart 11’, 61’

Pens; Flockhart 6’, 21’, 33’, 40’, 49’

Carnegie; 15 Christian Georgiou, 14 David Doherty, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Jonah Holmes, 10 Harry Leonard (Louis Grimoldby

70’), 9 Chris Pilgrim (Sam Edgerton 49’), 1 Lee Imiolek (Ben Harris 48’), 2 Phil Nilsen (Joe Graham 72’), 3 James Tideswell (Ben Hooper 72’), 4 Chris Jones (Joe Joyce 70’), 5 Mike Myerscough (Matt Smith 57’), 6 Jarad Williams, 7 Chris Walker, 8 Ryan Burrows (c)

Replacements; 16 Joe Graham, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Ben Hooper,19 Matt Smith, 20 Joe Joyce, 21 Sam Edgerton, 22 Louis Grimoldby

Tries; Edgerton 76’

Conv; Leonard 76’

Pens; Leonard 8’, 52’, 55’