Some photos from Sunday

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Some photos of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s at the festival of junior rugby at Castle Park on Sunday 21st March

Thomas tries to escape the zebras

Ol tries to free the ball

James helps the ball on its way

Help Me !!

Conor on the hoof

Can Aaron make it?

BJ on the run

Ben wins the lineout

Knights Brave Defence of the Castle

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Doncaster Knights under 9’s

Sunday 21st saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s take on all comers in the festival of junior rugby at Castle Park. For many of the team, this was the first time they had experienced this sort of day, and it would prove to be valuable learning for everyone.

We were able to field 2 teams, which stretched our resources to the full, meaning all 18 players on duty faced the prospect of at least 3 games without a break. But this didn’t seem to phase any of them, as they set about their task.

The 2 captains for the day, BJ and Joe, led their teams from the front, and they battled hard as teams, the highlights being a well earned draw against Otley for the red team, and a fantastic 40 – 0 win for the blue team against local rivals, Selby.

As lunch time arrived, the boys were really starting to get into the flow of the day, and with 4 tired coaches, and a whole stack of hoarse families on the sidelines, it was down to the head coach to break the news we had all been dreading ………….

……. Both teams had made the semi finals, but the journey for one team would have to end here as they had drawn each other !!!!

The Semifinal was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of a family loss this week, and then both teams got stuck into each other like they were complete strangers! They banged into each other, knocked each other over and ran for all their worth, and the effort was clear to see, and was summed up by Josh from the red team who chased BJ all the way to the line before tackling him and causing BJ to spill the ball – no try – well done Josh.

Eventually the blue team came out on top, and would go on to the final. The boys were starting to tire now, so some of the red team were enrolled as substitutes for the final.

This was it; the boys had got to the final with a smile on their faces, and they just needed one more effort, but it wasn’t to be. As one by one the substitutes were called into play, the 9 men left on the field had run themselves to water and given their all for the team, only to be edged out by a solitary score.

It was tough for the boys, but the smiles on the photo show the day was a huge success, and as each player collected their medal, perhaps only the parents were really left to wonder what might have been. BJ shook every player by the hand, and as they came together for the photos, all was forgotten and the smiles returned.

WELL DONE BOYS – YOU SHOULD BE REALLY PROUD OF YOUR EFFORTS

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Sponsors' images - Clearest badge impressions

Sunday (15th March) saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 8’s make the short trip up the A19 to York to face both York and Otley, teams who have always loved to take on the Knights.

The Doncaster under 8’s love to throw the ball around and work the spaces on the field, so it came as no surprise to find ourselves playing on 2 of the smallest pitches we have ever come across, and against 2 teams who were going to surround the ball carrier at every opportunity and limit the Knights' game plan.

It took a few minutes to settle in, and despite the, once again, physical nature of the games, and some interesting interpretations of the laws of the game, the Knights team soon settled into their routine and some excellent strong running from player of the day, Ethan Commons, and fantastic support from the player, voted as giving the most for the team, Owain Herring, saw the boys run in some great tries and come from behind against both oppositions to take well-earned draws.

The Knights have a week of training next week, before entering the final month of the season which will see them take on strong local rivals Dinnington, play host to their own festival at the start of April before heading off on tour to play in the Scarborough international festival. Here's to a great end to the season – good luck boys !!

Doncaster Knights: Rugby blog

Sunday (8th March) dawned with a bit of sunshine, a gentle breeze and huge expectation following the Doncaster Knights' first team's win over previously undefeated neighbours, Leeds, the day before. The Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored under 8’s were to host the ‘giants’ from Hull Ionians who have always provided a tough test.

Again there were enough players for 2 teams, and despite the weather already starting to turn, there was a steely determination amongst the team, which saw them keen to get started.

Immediately, Hull came at the Doncaster Knights, and took an early lead, and what looked like control, of the game. They were running hard, if sideways, and supporting each other in a way that we usually see from the home team. Slowly but surely though, the mistakes started to creep in, and with one or two refereeing decisions going against them, Hull started to back off, and Doncaster grew in confidence.

Half time arrived at 2 tries a piece, which shows how tight the game was, and after some words from the coaches and the captain, the boys couldn’t wait to get started. The knights made a couple of changes, and suddenly they were the side supporting well, running hard and starting to score points. The curtain fell on game one with the Doncaster boys one try ahead.

For Game 2, a whole new team was introduced, led by Ben Rivers, and 10 seconds in, Hull looked to be up to old tricks as they cut through the home team to take and early lead.

The pattern was the same as the first game, with Hull controlling the game and running with determination, but as half time approached, Doncaster started to settle and put some of their own pressure on, and as in the first game, the mistakes started to come from Hull allowing the Knights to still be in the game at half time. The weather was now starting to play its part, and with several players now shivering, and everyone getting wet, the coaches made a couple of necessary changes and the game restarted. In almost a mirror of the first game, it was the Knights' turn to play the rugby, and some real determination from Thomas Colcombe and some fantastic support from Owain, Harry and Lewi eventually saw the gap created for BJ to score the winning try. The final whistle went on another epic, low-scoring encounter which saw The Knights under 8’s once again come out on top by one try.

A tough day in tough conditions which saw the Knights victorious – Well done everyone !!

Keeping the ball hidden !!

So many choices - so little time !

Sneaking past!

Ooh ooh ooh - staying alive !

Come here !!

Rugby: Doncaster Knights Under 8’s vs Selby

This week saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass® sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8’s head just up the A19 to Selby. 

Some space at last

It was an early start as Selby had some important visitors in the afternoon, but that didn’t stop us getting 2 teams onto the field. Selby are always a tough opposition, and the immediate physical nature of this game showed today would be no exception. 

Charge

During training, the boys are slowly being introduced to contact play in preparation for next season, and it is always tough to play against teams at this time of the season as, inevitably, some of these new skills creep into matches. Today was going to be one of those days and, although on one pitch, we were clearly able to hold our own, on the other, we spent more time picking ourselves up off the floor than actually playing rugby. 

It's hot, it's hot, it's hot!

Once the boys settled down, they were able to work really hard and throw the ball around in their usual manner, and were unfortunately just edged out. Our other team, however, had done us proud, and lead by Ethan, who was getting his first taste of captaincy, they managed to just sneak a result. Before the second games, the coaches made some changes, and with renewed vigour, both teams set about their tasks. The determination was excellent, with both teams really driving forwards, and the results reflected that. 

Ian tries to sneak in

This was a great day for the boys, they played with a smile and enjoyment, and when our newest player, Lewi, and Harry collected the team effort award, and the smile that came from an ‘old’ head in Dan, as player of the day, showed what our team is all about. 

Almost through

The results take care of themselves, and playing as a team is what we are about, and the hard-earned draw in the second game was a result of that team ethic – well done everyone !

Has somebody dropped this?

Halftime