The Knights returned to Doncaster this evening with a win on the books having scored a late try to secure a 22-24 win over London Scottish at the Richmond Athletic Ground in Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

It was by no means a clean game, errors-wise, and the majority of the time was spent with the two sides turfing it out in the middle third of the field.

However, Donny seemed to have the grit to scrounge out the win as Steve Boden explained post-match his pride at the way in which his players stuck together to secure the win for one another.

The Knights were the first on the board today. Clean work from the forwards at the lineout fed ball to Ollie Fox who backed himself for the first carry. The scrum half tipped the ball off to Jack Metcalfe who released Connor Edwards with the pass to run in the try with clean air in front of him.

Billy McBryde’s conversion gave the travelling side the full set of points on the board.

The hosts soon responded. Using their maul to creep to the Knights’ 5m line, they peeled off the back to feed their backs. Ben Waghorn carried through a harsh tackle from Edwards to stretch an arm out and place the ball down over the line with former Knight, Alec Lloyd-Seed then adding the extras.

Another came for the Londoners before half time. Big tackles from the Knights in defence of the width of their 22 were commendable but Lloyd-Seed spotted a soft shoulder and went himself through the gap to run in the try underneath the posts.

His conversion attempt was charged down by Edwards, and so the half-time scoreline read 12-7 in the hosts’ favour.

Scottish came out the blocks well at the beginning of the second half. Cameron Anderson broke with ball in hand but and ankle tap tackle forced him to juggle the ball. Recovering well, a combination of passes between Will Trenholm, Robbie McCallum and Waghorn put the centre in on the far wing for his second score of the day.

The Knights responded almost immediately. Working their way quickly into the hosts’ 22, a maul for the line rumbled over with hooker Harri Morris, on his first start for the Knights, emerging from the bottom of the pile of rubble as the try-scorer.

McBryde added the extras to bring the Knights within 3 points.

Scottish pulled away one last time on 52 minutes played. The Knights held up the short, brusing carries well in tight space on their line. However, Lloyd-Seed saw the option of a chip over the defensive line. Metcalf could only get a fingertip to it as Will Brown took it out the air in front of the winger to cross for a try in the corner.

Replacement Harry Wilson made a big impact for the Knights today, not least by scoring a try on the hour mark. There was a calmness to the Knights as they elected to pick-and-go on the Scottish line. Getting them within good range, it wasn’t long before the back-rower crashed the ball down for the try.

Relatively chaotic play ensued following the third Donny score as both sides looked for dominance but were hampered by handling errors and penalties at set piece and scrum.

However, with just 4 minutes remaining on the clock, Wilson stormed his way through a tackle, shrugging off another to keep his long stride going for a break with ball in hand. Adam Hopkinson, his supporting runner who took the pass, was brought down just inches short.

Luckily, the ball popped out of the ruck and Will Metcalfe dove on top of it over the line for the Knights score which took them ahead of the hosts.

Despite a last-ditch attempt at an intense comeback in the bottom corner from Scottish, the Knights used pure doggedness to claim a turnover followed by a penalty – thus allowing them to nudge the ball into touch to bring the day to an end with a bonus point win on the road.

 

Scottish XV | 15 Cameron Anderson; 14 Noah Ferdinand, 13 Ben Waghorn, 12 Robbie McCallum, 11 Will Brown; 10 Alec Lloyd-Seed, 9 Stephen Kerins; 1 Will Prior, 2 Austin Wallis, 3 Rhys Charalambous, 4 Zach Carr, 5 Jonny Green, 6 Ioan Rhys Davies, 7 Jack Ingall, 8 Will Trenholm.

Replacements | 16 Toby Tyson, 17 George Cave, 18 Ashley Challenger, 19 Graham Geldenhuys, 20 Silas Pill, 21 Dan Nutton, 22 Billy Wara, 23 Elliot Haydon.

Tries: Waghorn 2, Lloyd-Seed, Brown

Conv: Lloyd-Seed

 

Knights XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 Jack Metcalf, 13 Harry Davey, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 George Simpson; 10 Billy McBryde, 9 Ollie Fox; 1 Harrison Courtney, 2 Harri Morris, 3 Corrie Barrett, 4 Evan Mintern, 5 Ehize Ehizode, 6 Fyn Brown, 7 Archie Smeaton, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Replacements | 16 Archie Upton, 17 Conor Davidson, 18 Karl Garside, 19 Adam Hopkinson, 20 Rhys Tait, 21 Will Metcalfe, 22 Tom Parkin, 23 Harry Wilson.

Tries: Edwards, Morris, Wilson, Metcalfe

Conv: McBryde 2

Referee: Harry Walbaum

Doncaster Knights have named their team for Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup as they travel to the Richmond Athletic Ground to take on London Scottish.

Director of Rugby Steve Boden and Head Coach Joe Ford have made 12 changes to the starting line-up that secured a bonus point 38-11 win over Cambridge at Castle Park last Friday night.

The front row is full of freshly debuted Knights as Harrison Courtnery and Corrie Barrett start at loosehead and tighthead with Harri Morris at hooker.

Evan Mintern returns to action for the first time this season as Ehize Ehizode is promoted from the bench to form the second row pairing with the Irishman.

The back row is another full of new signings as Fyn Brown and Archie Smeaton are named at blindside and openside flankers with Seb Nagle-Taylor at eight.

Ollie Fox comes in to make his first start as Billy McBryde makes his first appearance of the season captaining the team from fly half.

George Simpson and AJ Cant maintain their places in the back three with Jack Metcalf rounding out the trio. The centre partnership is a new one as Harry Davey comes in at outside centre with Connor Edwards on the inside.

On the bench, it could be a professional Knights debut for Knights Academy hooker Archie Upton. He’s joined by Conor Davidson and Karl Garside to form the replacement front row.

Adam Hopkinson, Rhys Tait and Harry Wilson round out the forward options.

For the backs, fresh from the announcement of their development deals with the first team, Knights Academy players Will Metcalfe and Tom Parkin are the cover.

Kick-off is at 15:00 at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, September 16, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 Jack Metcalf, 13 Harry Davey, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 George Simpson; 10 Billy McBryde, 9 Ollie Fox; 1 Harrison Courtney, 2 Harri Morris, 3 Corrie Barrett, 4 Evan Mintern, 5 Ehize Ehizode, 6 Fyn Brown, 7 Archie Smeaton, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Replacements | 16 Archie Upton, 17 Conor Davidson, 18 Karl Garside, 19 Adam Hopkinson, 20 Rhys Tait, 21 Will Metcalfe, 22 Tom Parkin, 23 Harry Wilson.

The club are thrilled to announce scrum half Will Metcalfe and fly half Tom Parkin have officially joined the Knights first team on development deals.

The two senior Academy players have been involved in a group of seven participating in pre-season and training with the Knights squad and will look to make appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup competition.

Discussing the positive news, Director of Rugby Steve Boden said: “We’re really excited for Will and Tom to be involved with the Knights, and to soon get their first taste of game-time this season.

“They got their first experience of Knights action last season in the Championship Cup. I think they’re a great example of how the Academy and the first team are closely connected.

“They also prove that even if you’re young, you can be good enough – helping to promote young Yorkshire talent coming through the system.

“They’ve not had it easy – they first came into the first team environment as 18-year-old young men and they’ve had some tough times through exposure to this level of rugby, but they’ve stuck in, and they’ve dug in, so now they’re starting to get their opportunity.

“A massive credit must be given to the Academy and the amount of work that Tyson and his coaches put in. We’re looking forward to Will and Tom having successful futures at the club.”

The two backs both made their professional Knights debuts in the 2022/23 season’s edition of the Championship Cup.

Will debuted at the Richmond Athletic Ground in the Knights’ 24-12 victory over London Scottish.

Meanwhile Tom debuted at home at Castle Park against Coventry, scoring a conversion as the Knights surged back from a scoreless first half to defeat the visitors 22-7.

Head of Academy, Tyson Lewis, is extremely proud of his players as he said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Will and Tom, which they have thoroughly earned with their consistent hard work.

“It is also a fantastic indicator of the foundation our Academy can provide players and helps us to take another step in developing the player pathway we have established between our Academy set-up and the first team here at Castle Park.”

Will is extremely proud to have signed the deal with the Knights, as he said: “Being in the first team environment is a dream come true. It has really helped my development and increased my confidence a lot. Having Tyson working hard to allow Academy lads to get these opportunities made the transition a million times easier.

“I’m also looking forward to keep learning but most importantly, competing and pushing on with everyone in the Knights environment to achieve our goals.”

Tom, similarly to his teammate, is determined to make the most of the opportunity afforded by the deal, as he said: “I’m excited and grateful about the opportunity to be with the first team this season.

“I have learned so much from being in the Knights environment with the coaches and players and I have put it into practice with the Academy for the last two seasons.

“I hope to play as much as possible and help the team achieve our goals this season.”

We look forward to seeing what Will and Tom can bring to the Knights throughout their time in the first team environment.

Will Metcalfe will be sponsored by Newsome Ltd whilst Tom Parkin will be sponsored by Pro Football Support.

Doncaster Knights’ fixture against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens has been selected for broadcast by TNT Sports and as a result has been rescheduled to Sunday, October 8.

The Round 5 game of the Premiership Rugby Cup was originally scheduled for the Saturday but having now been chosen for broadcast, the game has been moved to adapt to the TNT Sports schedule.

Our host club, Northampton Saints, have confirmed anyone who has already purchased a ticket for the match will have their tickets automatically issued to reflect the new date and kick-off time within the next seven days.

If you do not receive your tickets via email before midnight on Thursday, September 21, please contact the Northampton Saints ticketing team at ticketoffice@northamptonsaints.co.uk

Doncaster Knights secured a 38-11 win over new-boys Cambridge in Round One of the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup.

Match highlights available HERE.

A 1,156 strong crowd at Castle Park watched on as the Knights started slowly in the first half, taking until the second quarter to truly get into the groove of their play.

It was a relatively calm opening five minutes for the two sides. The Knights displayed some clean handling in the back-line before using the scrum to exit their own 22 when Cambridge hit back.

Working their way quickly up-field, the Knights went for the maul option upon gaining a lineout in the far corner. Slightly strangely, it was winger George Simpson who peeled off the back of the set to dot down for the opening score.

A profitable spell for Cambridge followed as, looking to get their footing in the Knights 22, they were awarded a penalty for an infringement from the hosts at the ruck and Steff James slotted the three points.

Cambridge added another on 25 minutes played. Not releasing at the ruck was the call against the Knights on their 10m line, and James again opted for the posts.

The aerial battle was well utilised by both sides as 30 minutes ticked by. Lovely work from Alex Dolly under a high ball was backed up by a nice break from new boys AJ Cant and Jack Digby before a forward pass was called against the Doncaster men.

On 38 minutes, the Knights nudged back in front. A break from nowhere from Rhys Tait secured the Knights territory in the opposition 22, with an ankle tap bring him down short of the whitewash.

Feeding Dolly from the floor, his support man was also torn down just short. Sam Olver then spotted Maliq Holden alone on the wing, flinging a spiral pass out to his man to run in the score which Dolly then converted.

Fighting for more, even with the clock in the red, paid off for the Knights. Camped out on the Cambridge line, the Knights bid their time before Tait was given the ball with a gap in front of him to barge through and score to the right of the posts. Dolly’s conversion then brought the half to an end.

The Donny men were straight onto the board in the second 40 minutes. It was purely classic Sam Olver. You think he’s going for the corner with a penalty opportunity before he spun around to spot his man of the wing.

George Simpson collected and tipped off to Cant for the run-in. The new man had to wriggle around in the tackle but ultimately dotted down above his head. Dolly was the trusty boot adding the extras.

Just minutes later, the full-back added another to his name. A fast break through the line in the middle of the field from Dolly set the move going. Recycling on the edge of the visitor’s 22, it wasn’t long before Cant had the ball in hand with space to run it in on the wing.

A yellow card to Maliq Holden hampered the Knights for 10 minutes, and Cambridge took advantage of the man-down to score their only try of the day as replacement hooker Morgan Veness ploughed over a the bottom of a heap from a maul.

On 72 minutes, the Knights scored their final try of the evening. Injecting pace from who knows where, Seb Nagle-Taylor stormed down the wing. Holding his pass with perfect precision, he fed Holden in order to allow the winger to scamper in on a curved run underneath the posts.

Dolly’s conversion ended the day 38-11 in the Knights’ favour. A bonus-point win at home will certainly give the Doncaster men some confidence heading into two back-to-back away games.

 

Knights XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 George Simpson, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Maliq Holden; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Roberts, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Adam Hopkinson, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Harry Wilson, 7 Rhys Tait, 8 Jack Digby.

Replacements | 16 Harri Morris, 17 Harrison Courtney, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Ehize Ehizode, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Harry Davey, 23 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Tries: Simpson, Holden 2, Tait, Cant 2

Conv: Dolly 4

Yellow card: Maliq Holden

 

Cambridge XV | 15 Joe Tarrant; 14 Eli Caven, 13 Matthew Hema, 12 Sam Hanks, 11 Joe Green; 10 Steff James, 9 Kieran Duffin; 1 Seb Brownhill, 2 Ben Brownlie, 3 Billy Walker, 4 George Bretag-Norris, 5 Gareth Baxter, 6 Noah Sloot, 7 Ben Adams, 8 Jared Cardew.

Replacements | 16 Morgan Veness, 17 Jake Ellwood, 18 Matty Collins, 19 Archie Strath, 25 Jed Gelderbloom, 21 Toby Dabell, 22 Matty Williams, 23 Rian Hamilton.

Pens: James 2

Tries: Veness

We’re delighted our matchday programme for tonight’s game against Cambridge at Castle Park is OUT NOW.

You can be prepared in advance of the match, by reading through our digital programme if you click HERE.

We have joined the fantastic Zeeon platform for the season, enabling us to bring you lots of interactive content for each game.

If you’ve not already got your tickets, then buy yours HERE.

Doncaster Knights have named their team for Round 1 of the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Cup – their opening game of the season for which they welcome Cambridge to Castle Park.

Director of Rugby Steve Boden and Head Coach Joe Ford have named their first side with 3 debutants involved in the starting line-up and a further 6 to come off the bench.

The front row is one of experienced Knights with Conor Davidson at loosehead, Andrew Foster at tighthead and George Roberts – gaining his 50th appearance – between the two at hooker.

Adam Hopkinson, having graduated from the Knights Academy to a First Team contract in the summer, joins Ben Murphy in the second row.

The back row is full of new signings as Harry Wilson and Rhys Tait occupy the flanks with newly announced co-captain Jack Digby at eight.

The half-back duo is the settled and familiar pairing of Alex Dolly at scrum half and co-captain Sam Olver at fly-half.

Maliq Holden and George Simpson occupy the wings with summer signing AJ Cant behind the two at full-back. The centre partnership is another welcome sight for Knights fans as Connor Edwards starts alongside Joe Margetts.

On the bench, it’s a completely new-look replacement front row in the hands of hooker Harri Morris – on a season-long loan from Edinburgh Rugby – with summer signing props Harrison Courtney and Corrie Barrett.

Further forward replacement options come in the form of Ehize Ehizode with new signings Fyn Brown and Seb Nagle-Taylor.

New signing scrum half Ollie Fox and the familiar face of Harry Davey round out the bench as the back options.

Kick-off is at 19:30 at Castle Park on Friday, September 8, and live updates will be available on our Twitter throughout the match.

 

Starting XV | 15 AJ Cant; 14 George Simpson, 13 Joe Margetts, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Maliq Holden; 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conor Davidson, 2 George Roberts, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Adam Hopkinson, 5 Ben Murphy, 6 Harry Wilson, 7 Rhys Tait, 8 Jack Digby.

Replacements | 16 Harri Morris, 17 Harrison Courtney, 18 Corrie Barrett, 19 Ehize Ehizode, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Ollie Fox, 22 Harry Davey, 23 Seb Nagle-Taylor.