CLINCIAL KNIGHTS CLAIM CUP WIN

Doncaster claimed an opening RFU Championship Cup 44-22 victory after a clinical second half performance saw four tries for the Knights.

An even first half had Donny edge the lead 20-15 at the interval, but an impressive attacking display late on handed Clive Griffiths’ side a deserved win in and put his side top of the group after the opening game.

The Knights began the game in blistering fashion, after just 21 seconds a Hartpury kick was charged down by Sam Jones and it was new signing Pete Lucock that found a gap just outside the 22 to burst away and score.

That advantage was further extended by a second successful Sam Olver kick, as the fly-half added three points to the board after a penalty to make it 13-0 to the Knights.

Hartpury came back into the game on 12 minutes with a penalty of their own, Nathan Chamberlain the kicker.

However, the Knights bounced straight back with Tyson Lewis dotting down as he broke away down the left after a good passing move. Olver was on hand again to add the extras and make the scoreline 17-3 to the home side.

The visitors began to get a foothold in the game though soon after the Knights scored their second try. A flowing, passing move with a couple of impressive quick offloads allowed Dan Koster the space to dart into the 22 and dot down, despite the best efforts of a last-ditch Tom James tackle.

As the half wore on it was the away side that looked the most likely to score. Jake Henry coming the closest after several pick and goes, the winger seemed to have barged over, but was held up and driven backwards when virtually on the try line. That pressure continued and the visitors did score on the 37^th minute, moments after Matt Smith was sin binned, taking advantage of the extra man.

Doncaster put the last points on the boards though before the half time whistle went with Olver scoring a penalty for a 20-15 lead.

John Barnes’ side started the better side after the interval continuing with the momentum gained in the first and had plenty of the ball, but without threatening the Knights defence.

On the 50^th minute, against the run of play, Donny claimed the important first try of the second half to extend their lead. Robin Hislop broke away into the 22, before being tripped by a tackle, despite being off balance the prop managed to offload to a supporting Tom James, who dotted down in the corner.

The game swayed back and forth with Hartpury always looking a threat, but it was the Knights again that scored another opportunistic try that show their clinical attacking display. Two good offloads, firstly from Rory Pitman then replacement Marc Thomas allowed Smith the chance to score under the posts.

Just five minutes later, Clive Griffiths’ Knights began to wield their ruthless attacking sword again. This time Curtis Wilson was alert and pounced on a dropped pass, the winger kicking the ball twice before picking the ball up and sprinting clear from 60 metres. The two quick fire tries allowed the Knights a 37-15 cushion going into the last 10 minutes.

That lead was extended once more as the fans were rewarded with a sixth try. An impressive driving maul saw replacement Morgan Eames on the back of it, with the second row driving over for his first of the season.

Hartpury did not give up though and deservedly for their efforts scored a third try as Tom Jubb broke clear and dodged a Charlie Foley tackle to dot down.

The Knights saw out the last few minutes and grasped an opening RFU Championship Cup victory after a clinical second half performance in an entertaining afternoon of rugby.

Match Statistics

Knights XV: 15. Steve McColl 14. Curtis Wilson 13. Lloyd Hayes(55’Evans) 12. Pete Lucock 11. Tyson Lewis 10. Sam Olver(71’Foley) 9. Tom James(71’Pocklington) 1. Robin Hislop(57’Thomas) 2. Ben Hunter(66’Edgson) 3. Andy Foster(53’Quigley) 4. Matt Challinor 5. Matt Smith 6. Ollie Stedman(63’Stedman) 7. Sam Jones 8. Rory Pitman(65’Eames)

Replacements: 16. George Edgson 17. Marc Thomas 18. Colin Quigley 19. Morgan Eames 20. Michael Hills 21. Sam Pocklington 22. Charlie Foley 23. Kyle Evans

Tries: Lucock, James, Lewis, Smith, Wilson Eames

Conversions: Olver 3, Foley 1

Yellow Card: Smith

15. Mike Wilsox 14. Jake Henry 13. Dan Koster 12. Joe Margetts 11. Sam Goatley 10. Nathan Chamberlain 9. Harry Cochrane 1. Dan Murphy © 2. Will Crane 3. Ashley Challenger 4. Tom Everard 5. Tom Jubb 6. Akapusi Qera 7. Max Clementson 8. Seb Nagle-Taylor

Replacements: 16. Will Tanner 17. Kai Owen 18. Mike Flock 19. Angus Southon 20. Will Safe 21. Josh Bragman 22. George Simpson 23. Luke Carter

Tries: Koster, Chamberlain, Jubb

Conversions: Chamberliain 2, Bragman

Yellow Card: Tanner

Attendance: 730