Knights work back to secure bonus point draw in Hartpury

6th December 2025

Doncaster Knights started strong to secure early points that contributed to a 33-33 draw with Hartpury. 

Rhys Tait was first on the scoresheet in Gloucestershire as Jasper Mcguire who powered through Hartpury’s defence to break the line. He tipped the ball to Ollie Fox before Fox then shipped the ball to Tait, and the back row put in one final step to finish under the posts. Bunting added the extras 0-7. 

The Knights continued to work hard from the next kick off, and a brilliant turnover at the breakdown from Aidan Cross put the knights in charge again.

Matt McNab was next to score with a lovely bit of skill. Ollie Fox popped the ball blind to McNab which opened the space out wide for the winger to gain some meters before putting boot to ball. He chased the ball down and gathered it over the line. Bunting added the conversion from out wide. 0-14. 

Veainu danced round Hartpury defenders to give Doncaster a three try lead. Morgan Bunting added another impressive conversion. 0-21.

Hartpury then found their feet and worked back into the game, with a grubber through Doncaster’s defence setting them up to ground the ball over the line. A successful conversion closed the scores 7-21. 

Donny spent the remainder of the half in defence, but a strong driving maul from the hosts gave them one more score before the half time whistle. Another conversion left the score 14-21 at the break. 

The hosts were the first over the line in the second half, with their full back, Morgan dodging multiple donny defenders to score in the corner. The conversion levelled the scores. 21-21

Donny were penalised at the breakdown which meant Hartpury had the opportunity to go in front for the first time. 24-21.  

Zach Kerr then kept the Knights in the game with another strong score. Veainu delayed his pass out to the centre, opening the gap for him to show his pace to get to the line. 24-26. 

Doncaster’s discipline then allowed Hartpury to retake the lead as three penalties towards the end of the game meant they went ahead 33-26. 

Doncaster managed to pull it back in the 80th minute as they worked their way up to the line. Donny then opted for the scrum 5m out and after a dominant drive, Cameron Kelemeti picked the ball and dived over the whitewash. Bunting added the conversion to finish the game level. 

Full time score 33-33. 

Doncaster now return to Castle Park next week for a Christmas fixture against Ampthill. Secure your tickets here.