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.

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 !

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 ...

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 !!

Behind the scenes at Headingley

New Years day saw a chance for the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s to go behind the scenes at Headingley as Leeds Carnegie prepared to play Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership. They must have had an impact as Leeds went on to record their first win fo the season. Huge thanks to fromer British Lions favourite John Bentley for the time he gave to the boys.

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

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 !!

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.

Another chapter in the Knights' tale

Thursday saw the team have one of their now famous summer get togethers, but
with only a month to go, the real work started!!

and so it begins ...

The boys were put through their paces for over an hour, and miraculously were all still standing at the end (or at least crawling!!). The key to success is team work followed closely by fitness, and these session are designed to work on both of these. With Captain BJ joining in for the first time since breaking his collar bone a month ago, he lead the team through their running drills, before bowing out as it got more 'physical'.

The boys looked in good shape and certainly good spirits, heres to another great season - good luck boys!

Onedrywash continues support for the youth Knights

SJ hands over the shirts

Onedrywash has announced this week that they will continue to support the soon-to-be-under 10's at Doncaster Knights. Team Manager Ian said, "The team finished the season really strongly back in April, and everyone is really excited about what we can go on to acheive over the coming years, and the support of Onedrywash will enable us to further enhance the rugby experience of all our players, for which we are really appreciative."

Tim Jones, Onedrywash Chairman, said, "We are, of course, thrilled to be able to continue our support of the team and look forward to seeing them grow over the coming seasons - good luck to all of them."

Latest from the Knights

BJ and Aaron

Congratulations to Aaron and BJ who have once again been chosen to represent their school team - despite being 3 years younger than most of the team!!

Last week, they took part in the South Yorkshire finals at Barnsley Rugby Club, where they finished in the top 3. A fantastic acheivement from the 570 teams that set out on the journey.

This week, they headed to the Yorkshire finals under the watchful eye of coach Mark, and aimed for a place in the National Finals. They worked really hard, and made it through to the final group stages only to miss out in the last round of games – well done boys !

Knights on Tour!

Ready Willing and Able

This weekend saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s head to Scarborough for their annual tour. The boys and their families arrived Friday night having travelled from far and wide – Roger (Owains Dad) was stuck in Russia at the start of the week and had to make his way across Europe single handed to be with us – but he made it – well done!!

Once we had all arrived, we headed out for a pre match feast of pizza and burgers before dancing the night away (Ian and Dave led the way).

Pre-Match meal

Friday night fever!

The Haka!!

Sunday saw us head to Scarborough rugby club where the boys were treated to a pre tournament parachute display before getting on with the ‘serious’ stuff – some rugby !

Thomas picks his target!

As is often the theme, the Knights were a bit slow out of the blocks and lost their first game, but that would be their last defeat of the day. Having come from behind to draw with Sunderland , the boys finished the day against Northern, and what a finish it was. As coaches it felt like a whole seasons work had clicked into place. We made a couple of positional changes and the game opened up with some of the best passing and support our backs have shown this season, and some excellent work from the forwards to create a platform. The boys worked just as hard in defence and won the game comfortably, putting themselves right in the mix for the next day.

The fun was only just beginning, as we headed back to our caravan site, the ‘ladies’ on tour felt the urge to challenge the men to a game of touch rugby. Captain BJ offered to referee with the other boys acting as touch judges and support from the sides. The ‘ladies’ played rough from the start and it wasn’t long before BJ had the yellow card out! The game went both ways with the men believing they had won, and the ‘ladies’ looking close to tears, BJ nobly awarded a draw!

Oh no you dont!

Now children - play nicely

We finished the afternoon with our annual presentations, which saw Frazer win the player with the most endeavour, Conor win the most improved player with Oliver in second place and BJ beat Harry to win the players player of the season.

Sunday saw us all head back to the rugby club, with one eye on what looked like a tropical storm brewing overhead, we started the day as we left off with a well earned win against Harrogate which Saw Frazer back up his award with a great supporting try. In our next game, we went from one injury to the next, and ended with our last 9 fit players on the field and a narrow defeat. It would all come down to the last game of the season, the last 10 minutes for the boys to make some memories, and boy did they. They picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and threw everything at Ilkley coming out as well deserved winners – mainly down to the strong tackling of Thomas, BJ and James.

Frazer takes on the world

The boys had taken on all comers and exceeded our expectations with a runners up spot in the end of weekend league table – Well done to all of you !

Tired, Bruised but still Smiling

This was the culmination of a great season, and I would like to thank the boys for their efforts, their families for the loudest support anywhere, the coaches for your help, Jo for organising tour (and putting up with me!) and also Onedrywash for their support of the team – you are helping to make dreams come true – Thank You.

Who is the Mystery Player?

Sunday saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s hard at work. They were training for the 3 remaining festivals this season, looking to improve on the runners up spot at their home festival last week.

Guess who!!

During training, this shot was captured of one of the players ‘hiding’ away – but who is it? The first person to email the coaches with the correct answer will win a mystery prize – will it be you?

Good Luck !!

Don’t forget to watch this space for an update on the Knights’ progress after Easter.

Good luck to the Knights

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Sunday sees the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s take on all comers in their annual festival of junior rugby at Castle Park. The festival has a proud tradition of fun for everyone, and being played at Castle Park – the home of the most promoted rugby team in English rugby history - gives it a special edge.

We will field 2 teams this weekend, reds and blues, both of whom will be proud to carry the name of OneDrywash on their chests. Team captain BJ and Joe have both said they are really excited and hope to do the club, their families and the OneDrywash name proud.

Good luck to the boys – if you are in the area, games start at 10:30am, why not come along and offer your support? If not, watch this space for a festival update next week.
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Player of the Year (junior rugby)

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Donny Knight and John Rouse, the tournament manager,
presents the Captain, BJ Howe, with a commemorative ball

Great News for The Captain !!

Last week, Captain of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8’s was chosen to represent Kirk Sandall Junior School under 11’s. Despite playing 3 years above his age, BJ led by example, scoring some excellent tries and was bitterly disappointed to be on the losing side in the final.

His day took a turn for the better though during the presentations when he was recognized as the ‘Donny Knight Young Player of the Year for 2009’.

A big well done from the rest of the team – here’s hoping he plays as well next season.
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Under 9's do their bit

A day out with the first team

Saturday saw the first public outing of the new Autoglass and Onedrywash-sponsored Doncaster Knights' first team players to promote rugby in the local area. So BJ, Oliver and Aaron decided to show them how it was done. After a slow first hour, the boys grabbed a first team player each and dragged them to meet their public!! A charming smile and the bribe of chocolate from some of the players saw the boys signing up members of the public to come and watch the first team play, and more importantly telling the world about junior rugby.

If we can carry this enthusiasm onto the pitch next season, we will be world beaters – well done boys!!