Mothers Day at Headingley

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s take a team to play at Headingley for what will probably be the last time.

We had a great day out, and as BJ shared out the chocolates to celebrate Mothers Day, the Leeds mascot Terry the Tyke came to sit with the team. Having tried to steal a few chocs and a pint of beer from one of the dads, he left us to it with his best wishes for a good game.

As Leeds Carnegie went into the break looking like they might record their second home league win of the season and get one step closer to avoiding relegation, the Knights took to the field against Keighley.

The game was tight on a very small pitch, but somehow BJ managed to squeeze free and put the Knights in front. Some great defending on their own line meant they were still in it when BJ broke free again and looked like he would double the lead - it wasnt to be, a last ditch tackle saw BJ sprawled across the Headingley turf with what would turn out to be a season ending dislocated shoulder and broken collar bone !

Still reeling, the Knights conceded a quick try, but then Corey, Liam, Olc, Ol D, Frazer, Rory, Josh and Joe pulled together and gave it their all - I was really proud of their efforts, but another try for Keighley was to prove too much for the Knights on the day.

Carnegie did go on to win, which was at least some comfort for BJ.

2 weeks to our Scarborough tour, and we are all really looking forwards to it - watch this space for updates.

FESTIVAL DAY AT LAST !

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s enter 2 teams into their home festival, the boys had prepared well and expectations were high. Both the reds led by Conor and the Blues by BJ had a genuine chance of making it through to one of the 2 knockout competition semi finals.

Both teams competed well throughout the morning, coming off second best in some very tight encounters, but all still smiling, and still believing they could acheive something from their day.

As lunch approached, there was a buzz about the place, would history repeat itself and the boys meet in the semi final again ? It wasnt to be, the boys had been drawn apart, but had a great opportunity to meet in the final. The last fit and standing players took to the field for battle, looking weary, but still believing. Conor led by example as he had done all day for the reds and took his team in search of a well deserved win, but it wasnt to be - they came up just short and like last year would go no further than the semi finals. In the other game, the blue team finally showed what they were capable of running in 3 great tries and celebrating all the way to the final. Could they go one step further than last year and win it for the squad ?

Unfortunately it wasnt to be, and the pain was clear to see for everyone - the boys had given everything, but for the second year running come up short in the final - 3rd time lucky next year ??

Well done boys, great effort from everyone - be proud and come back stronger - TOGETHER WE CAN !

One Week and Counting ...

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s left at Castle Park for another training session following the late cancellation of their game.

The boys wasted no time getting stuck into a full practice match and preparing themselves for next weeks festival.

We will field 2 very strong and very capable teams next week, and all eyes will be on Castle Park to see how the boys fayre in their home festival.

Great session today - good luck for next week and a special well done to players of the day Ol C and Liam.

Still Working Hard

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s training at Castle Park, and we took the opportunity to move onto the bigger pitch we will use next season, and play with next seasons rules. The boys had more space, extra players and the added interest of kicking.

Together we worked through the different stage of the game, and finished with a full game with all the players handling well, tackling strongly and some great kicking - both out of hand and in front of goal. Everybody thinks they can kick, but choosing the right kick at the right time and executing it well is a difficult art to master, and everyone showed some real promise.

Next week we are back to matches, with only a week to go until the Doncaster Junior rugby festival - good luck boys !

Back To Basics

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s back in training after a tough couple of weeks of matches. Next season, the boys will step up another level and introduce a second row to the scrums, a full back and the mysterious art of kicking.

Bit by bit we are starting to introduce these to the boys, and this morning saw us play our first practice match with a 5 man scrum, and the boys really handled it well.

With ears taped up the boys tried out a host of new positions, and they looked like they had been doing it for years.

Well done boys, a great effort all round, I can't wait until next season !!

A day out in Derbyshire

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s cross the border into Derbyshire for a rematch against Chesterfield. Earlier in the season the sides had drawn 10 - 10 at Castle Park and they were on the hunt for a more positive return.

The Knights had a great start and for a rare moment this season, they actually led the game and werent having to come from behind. Some excellent running from Corey and a great offload saw Joe run in a great try.

It wasnt long before Chesterfield were back in it and the sides were all sqaure going into half time.

Some fantastic tackling from the Knights kept them in it and the sides traded territory and possession throughout the second half but neither could break the deadlock and it finished honours even.

The effort was clear to see and the boys were gutted but they should be proud of their efforts.

Now the focus had to turn to game 2, both sides were keen to change the result, and 2 completely different sets of players took the field. The Knights were driven on by a battling Owain and they started to look like they might edge it. That was until Chesterfield sent on some of their more established players from the first game, and they just seemed to have too much fire power for the Knights.

The boys stuck at it and never gave up on the task - another fabulous effort.

Special mention to players of the day Aaron and Thomas - well done !

A tough day at the castle

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s host local rivals York in a keenly anticpated rematch. Earlier in the season York had dominated the fixture, and with the Knights finding the winning trail in recent weeks, they couldn't wait to get stuck in.

The first game was evenly contested until York finally got on the scoreboard, and they went on to open up a good lead. However the game wasn't over, and with a couple of small changes to the team, they threw everything at York and came within one score of tying the game. It was a really positive finish and a great platfrom to get back to winning ways.

The second game went in much the same way, York got off to a great start and opened up a lead only for Doncaster to fight their way back in. There was some huge effort on show and the Knights were unlucky to comne off second best.

The boys really worked York hard, and the improvement was there for everyone to see - next week we are off to Chestefield and determined to get back to winning ways !

Well done everyone and especially coaches award winneres Josh and Liam.

Wet and Windy

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s back in training following their excellent performance at Dinnington last weekend. Training consisted of a number of team exercises to help the boys build further on their great team spirit.

The boys carried a stash of training kit, including a tackle shield, balls, cones, agility ladders, bibs and water bottles round a course. The aim was to run as a team and work together to ensure everyone and all the kit completed in tact and together. It was a huge success with all the teams completing the exercise.

Then we moved onto some group skills exercises which developed into a game. The rules of the game were simple - everyone had to muck in whatever their position, and tries would only count if the dive was bigger than Chris Ashtons for England in Cardiff on Friday night !

The session finished with some puddle surfing, and the weekly awards - well done to this weeks winners James and Frazer.

What a session - what a team - well done boys - keep making us proud !

I told you so !!

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s take on more local rivals in the shape of Dinnington and Scunthorpe - and what a day !!

The team performed together and for each other, there was passion from every player and tries were free flowing. Only a last minute refereeing decision gave Dinnington a draw in the first game, but the team regrouped and went on to beat Scunthorpe.

This was an outstanding effort from every player, and the parents who never stopped shouting. Well Done to BJ and Corey on winning the coaches awards, but a big well done to everyone.

More of the same please boys !!

It's coming ......

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s take on local rivals Sheffield Tigers. The boys played 3 games allowing the ever growing squad of almost 30 players to all get some game time, and us as coaches to look at lots of different options.

Technically, the boys are playing some great rugby, and but for one or two missed tackles at the crucial moment, they would have recorded their first win of 2011.

As it was, they were one score away on each occasion !!

There was some great work in all 3 games, with special mentions to Thomas, James, Ryan, Corey and the Morgan - Lister coaches award winners BJ and Conor who led from the front all day.

Next week see us make the trip across to Dinnington with everyone believing the win is coming ...

Back to Business

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s back in action for the first time in 2 months, and what a great job they did.

The visitors to Castle Park were Hull Ionians - who are renowned for their tough, direct playing style, and would be a great test for the team.

The boys got stuck in and stood toe to toe throughout, unfortunately coming off second best by the narrowest of margins.

We were really proud of what the boys acheived today, and if this is a sign of things to come - we cant wait !!

Well done to the first recipients of the Morgan-Lister coaches awards Owain and Jack.

Final Preparations

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s back into full training in preparation for next weeks game against Hull Ionians. We started the day with our post Christmas fitness tests - which everyone managed to complete........ just !!!!

The pitch was still a bit firm, but the boys worked really hard and finished with a great game of touch and pass. well done everyone, especially player of the day Ryan. Bring on Ionians !!

A bright but cold Sunday morning saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s training for their game against Matlock next weekend. We were privileged to have a visit from our first team Mentor Chris and Onedrywash Chairman Tim Jones.

Hopefully what they saw was the boys really bouncing back from a touch week at the office in York last weekend. They trained really well, and really looked composed and confident on the ball. Hopefully we can take this to match day next weekend.

Great to see Owain back from injury, and and excellent performance from player of the day James - well Done boys - keep it up

A Sunday to Remember

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s make the trip north up the A19 to York, always a tough trip, and this year was no exception.

It was remembrance Sunday, and the boys took time as a team to remember those who had given their lives whilst fighting for their country, with an impeccable period of silence - well done and thanks boys.

The rugby was a very different affair, with lots of noise off the field and on it, amongst the confusion which seemed to reign throughout the first game.

We were playing on a huge pitch with a free flowing referee which often made it difficult for the boys to understand the decisions when the ref went back to them, but we got the hang of it and scored some great tries following some huge efforts. Frazer scored his first try of the season (second of his life !!) following last weeks strange decision not to reward him when he crossed the line, and the effort from the whole team meant we finished the stronger.

We changed the entire team for the second game, and things seemed to go much smoother with clearer direction from the ref making it easier for the boys to get on with what they had come to do - play rugby and enjoy themselves. Some big tackling from some of the backs, and a massive effort from eventual player of the day - Ryan saw a much closer game second time around.

Some valuable lessons were learned - play to the ref, focus on your game and most important keep having fun, which is exactly what we did - great effort, well done boys !!

The Headingley Experience

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s visit Headingley stadium, they had the chance to play at half time during the Aviva Premiership game between Leeds Carnegie and London Wasps.

12 of the squad left Doncaster, just as it seemed the sun was starting to break through, but arrived at Headingley to a damp, grey autumn sky. Nothing was going to spoil this day, the boys - beaming from ear to ear made their way into the stadium, collected their commerative water bottles and headed for their seats.

With one or two notable exceptions, the boys cheered on Carnegie as they searched for their first league win of the season, and then just before half time, we found a quiet corner and prepared for our game.

Under the floodlights and on a fantastic surface, BJ led the team out onto the Headingley pitch, and the game began.

The 12 minutes we were allowed shot past, and I am not sure any of us remember much about the game except for a fabulous try from Thomas - but I do know everyone left the field with the same smile they went on with, taking time to wave to the crowd on their way off.

This was a fantastic day, enjoyed by players, parents and coaches alike. Thanks to Dave for refereeing, and to the parents for getting the boys there - but most of all to Helen and her team at Leeds Carnegie for the invite.

Lets hope the boys can carry this enthusiasm through to next weeks game against local rival Sheffield and Rotherham !!

Autumn Arrives

This morning saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s head out into probably our coldest morning of the year so far. a light frost overnight and the shelter from the trees made the pitch feel really cold for our last training session before our trip to Headingley next week.

We started with our time trials, which are designed to get the boys wanting to be at their sharpest for the team and introduce a bit of 'friendly' rivalry in the team.

This morning was fantastic with every body giving their all with some great results.

The whole team worked really hard on a really fresh morning, and I am looking forwards to seeing what they can produce at Headingley next weekend - good luck boys !!

Is it a bird ????

the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s are really lucky to have a great bunch of parents who follow them all over the county to watch them play and shout on their support. Sunday is never Sunday without the rumble of a Northern Irish accent from Brian shouting for Conor and the boys.

Nothing is ever too much trouble for Brian, and he faithfully rode and drove his way round the half marathon course recently to support Jo on her fundraising epic.

Not satisfied with his contribution to that cause, when asked recently to support some friends on a sponsored abseil, Brian went one further and launched himself from the top of the stand at Doncaster race course to help raise money - well done Brian, we are all very proud of you !!

A great day for the new boys !

Sunday saw the first opportunity for the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s to field 2 teams on one day, meaning everyone was going to get a couple of games under their belts. This was a great opportunity for those who hadnt played yet, or not got much rugby under their belts to combine with some of the more experienced players and play rugby. And what a day, the blue team drew against a plucky Chesterfield, thanks to a long range try from BJ and some great tackling from Corey, Thomas and the Twins. They then went down to a competitive Selby team who set out with one intention and got their wish. It wasnt for a lack of effort from anyone in Blue, it just wasnt to be their day !

The Red team had a different challenge, they were to play back to back games against a fresh Selby team, made up of a similar mix of players, and they set about showing the blue team what rugby was all about. A great effort from Ryan in his first ever game, brought him a try, and new Scrum half Oliver drove his troops forward to earn a great draw in game one.

Game two was going the same way, lots of hard work and running before it looked like Selby were going to break free. A last ditch tackle from player of the day helped ensure a second draw - a great days rugby !

The important thing out of today was seeing everyone get a chance to play, and some of the smiles told their own story.

Back to training next week for the boys, before a trip to Headingley to play at half time in the Aviva Premiership game against London Wasps.

One week and counting

A fresh autumn morning greated the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10's as they entered the last Sunday session before their matches start next weekend. This morning was about getting match ready, and we spent most of the morning playing short games to put into practice the last month of training exercises.

What a great session, everyone stepped up to the plate, BJ looked to be recovering some form after injury with a hatful of tries, Thomas was back running and tackling like we know he can and Liam was charging round like trojan horse - must have been the new boots !!!! - he was rewarded with player of the day.

Next week sees the team make the trip up to Driffield, and we are all really looking forwards to getting stuck in - although part of us will be thinking about Jo on her fundraising Half Marathon - Good Luck from all of us.

Wet Weather Training

As the start of the match playing season approaches,the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s, are still working hard to be ready. Sunday saw us doing our fitness tests again with almost everyone improving on the times they had set a couple of weeks ago. Well done everyone, only a couple of weeks and we will really start to see the rewards I am sure.

As the start of the season approaches, the team have chosen their captains for this season, and they are :

BJ - now enetering his 4th season as captain. He is recovering nicely from his broken collar bone and hopes to be fit for our first game. BJ is a huge Leeds Rhinos fan and hopes one day his beloved South Standers are copying the song of his hero Brent Webb - ' Ben Howe is Superman!'.

Ol C - for the second season will be the Vice Captain to BJ. The pair are great mates and work really hard together. Ol loves his sport and is a huge fan of Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey team - stick to the rugby mate, it looks much safer to me !

Conor - was voted to join the team this year, and brings a forwards opinion to the party. Conor Loves his rugby and would rather be playing with his mates or watching some rugby than anything else.

Good luck to all the team this season - why not follow us on Twitter (@Donny Knights).