Doncaster were left frustrated after a undeserving narrow 22-30 defeat to Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship today.

The Knights had a 22-20 lead with 10 minutes left, but couldn’t hold out for a deserving victory after an spirited performance throughout.

The first half started in a impressive fashion for the Knights with a firm defence the backbone for the side to push up the field and eventually the score came. Rory Pitman earning Doncaster the lead from a driving maul from a line out. Tongan International Kurt Morath converted to make the score line 8-0 after 20 minutes.

Carnegie replied instantly with two quickfire tries. A first after a good break and offload allowing Dan Temm to slide over, that was followed by JB Bruzlier dotting down to give the visitors a 7-12 lead after a conversion.

Doncaster showed their spirit with a roaring crowd behind them and began to increase their intensity. After some good passing from right to left, Paul Jarvis found space and came within inches of the try line. Oliver Stedman was there in support though and picked the ball up to drive over and made the score even. Morath missed his conversion in a blistering windy day at Castle Park.

The away side looked again for a quick reply, but the Knights held firm until a penalty was given for offside just minutes before half-time allowing Carnegie a 12-15 lead at the interval.

However, it was Doncaster that took the ascendancy in the second half pushing Carnegie deep into their half with a couple of turnovers and line outs.

Paul Jarvis was replaced by Henry Seniloli just minutes in the second half, the Fijian International showing his worth almost immediately. After a driving maul Rory Pitman passed to Tom James, who saw Seniloli in acres in the left corner. The scrum-half dotted down for his first try of the season, whie Morath converted to give the Knights the lead.

Doncaster continued to show their dominance of the second half as Morath scored a penalty to extend our lead after 58 minutes.

That woke Yorkshire up as they began to take the match to the Knights. A grubber kick from Jade Te Rure bounced favourably for Davey, who kicked it again over the try line and then slide over to narrow Doncaster’s lead to 22-20.

With the match finally balanced the next try would be vital and unfortunately it went in the favour of the visitors. Carnegie’s Chris Elder found a gap outside the Knights’ 22 and broke away to give his side the lead.

Elder extended that lead to 22-30 after 71 minutes with a penalty, turning the match in Carnegie’s favour.

Doncaster pushed on late and were camped in the Yorkshire 22 in the last encounters, but couldn’t grasp the try and points that their performance deserved.

Match Statistics

Starting XV: 15. Cowell 14. Wilson 13. Creed 12. Owen 11. Jarvis(47’Seniloli) 10. Morath(62’Olver) 9. James 1. Hislop 2. Hunter(58’Mayhew) 3. Quigley(62’Sproston) 4. Challinor(77’Calladine) 5. Tyrell 6. Stedman 7. Hills © 8. Pitman(62’Ryan)

Replacements: 16. Mayhew 17. Williams 18. Sproston 19. Calladine 20. Ryan 21. Seniloli 22. Olver

Tries: Pitman, Stedman, Seniloli Conversions: Morath 2 Penalties: Morath

Carnegie XV: 15. Throughgood 14. Elder 13. Forsyth 12. Lucock (c) 11. Watkins 10. Te Rure 9. Bruzulier 1. Thomas 2. Buckle 3. Foster 4. Lemalu 5. Smith 6. Romaine 7. Bainbridge 8. Temm

Replacements: 16. Dylan Donnellan 17. Tom Hill 18. Craig Mitchell 19. Lewis Wilson 20. Rich Mayhew 21. Sam Wolstenholme 22. Harry Davey

Tries: Temm, Bruzilier, Davey, Elder Conversions: Elder 2 Penalties: Elder 2

Attendance: 2006