Knights show resilience but not enough to beat a strong Newcastle side
1st February 2025
Newcastle Falcons keep their 100% unbeaten Premiership Cup run as they defeated Doncaster Knights 18-42 in Round Four.
Despite the result, Doncaster had many positive moments, but the Falcons proved too strong on the day.
Doncaster started positive as a brilliant scrum from the forwards gave us a penalty, which allowed the Knights to work their way up the field. We then had a really good opportunity in the next phase as Morgan Bunting placed a cross field kick to Maliq Holden. However, the bounce of the ball meant we just missed out.
The visitors then stole the first points of the game when Freddie Lockwood ran onto the ball at great pace, smashing through our defence to go over the line. They added the extras. 0-7.
The Knights reacted well at the next kick off as Bunting put in a contestable kick which we managed to regain possession of and continue to attack. The back line moved the ball at speed to open a gap up the wing which allowed Jordan Olowofela to gain some metres. After a few more phases, Alex Dolly slotted a penalty to keep the scores close. 3-7.
It was the Falcons who claimed the next points as Ben Stevenson received a cross field kick to go over in the corner. They added the extra two again. 3-14.
On multiple occasions, Doncaster managed to hold the Falcons out through some brilliant individual defending. One of the most memorable being our player of the match, Zach Kerr, who showed fantastic work rate to clear out a ruck on his own and win a penalty for the Knights.
After a few phases, the Knights won a free kick at the scrum, and attacked into the 22. Newcastle were then penalised for being offside so we took the three points with another great kick from Alex Dolly. 6-14.
Rhys Tait put in a huge tackle on Freddie Lockwood and more good defending followed. Newcastle made a break up the wing, but we chased them down and forced the knock-on in the tackle.
The Knights then continued to build in attack but small errors meant Newcastle regained possession. The visitors added a final try before half time with another cross field kick, and extended the lead with a conversion.
Half time score, 6-21.
Newcastle opened the scores in the second half as Max Pepper danced around the Knights defence and they slotted another conversion. 6-28.
However, the Knights answered back through Conor Davidson, who showed power to drive the ball over the line. Alex Dolly added the extras with a great touchline conversion. 13-28.
Olowofela made a speedy break up the wing and put in a grubber to relieve pressure. However a controversial tackle off the ball meant he had no opportunity to chase it. Newcastle then used this to their advantage as they moved the ball into space and worked their way up the pitch to score another. Conversion successful. 13-35.
The Knights then found themselves defending on the try line again but an important turnover allowed us to exit the 22.
Our new loan player Aidan Cross, who has joined us from Glasgow, made a fantastic impact from the bench. Morgan Bunting spotted space in the back field and kicked into it for Cross to chase. He showed brilliant pace to get to the ball and tackle Newcastle’s full back.
Just moments later, Cross impressed again as Doncaster scored a brilliant try from set piece. The Knights ran a clean move off a line out, which shipped the ball to Cross on the wing. He then showed his speed again to bring us close to the line, before popping the ball back inside to Telusa Veainu, who finished brilliantly in the corner. Conversion missed. 18-35.
More positive defending from the Knights as Archie Smeaton steals the ball at the breakdown. However, we just struggle to convert our attack into points on this occasion.
Newcastle work their way to the try line again and our forwards brilliantly hold the ball up over the line. Unfortunately, Newcastle were playing with a penalty advantage and on their second chance, they managed to squeeze the ball over the line. Conversion successful. Full time score 18-42.
The Knights travel to Manchester next week to face Sale Sharks in round five. This game is being streamed live on TNT sports, to book on to our FREE live screening at Castle Park, click HERE.
