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 !

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.

Try Fest In Sheffield

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s make the short trip down the M18 to Abbeydale Park in Sheffield.

After an energetic warm up, the boys took on Sheffield and despite having crossed the line with what looked like a great try for Frazer, it was Sheffield who edged ahead. It was a titanic battle, with the forwards working hard to knock each other over, and the backs passing and runnng with real style - was it finally clicking into place - well almost, but game 2 was to prove the highlight of the day.

After a short break, and a few changes, the team set about putting things right from the first game, and boy did they. With tries for forwards and backs, some of the best passing and running we have seen this season, the Knights bossed from start to finish, conceding only once late on, but having scored a hatful themselves.

A fantastic effort, a great game and a deserved result - well done boys, and especially player of the day Lewi.

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

.

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.
.

Scarborough Rugby Festival

Doncaster Under 8’s Update

Afternoon Training for the coaches

Showing off their medals

The Grey Mist closes in

Twinkle Toes strikes again

Billy Whiz addresses the team

Last weekend, the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass® sponsored Doncaster Under 8’s headed away for their first ever tour. The destination was Scarborough; the sun was trying to break through and the team were dressed to impress in their pink tour t-shirts. Friday night saw the team strut their stuff amongst the dance troops that were in town, and the parents were even questioned whether the funky pink brigade were here for the rugby or the dancing.

Saturday Morning dawned on a tired team and, as is becoming customary in festivals, we got off to the worst start losing to Blackburn. The team rallied and under the watchful eye of coach Jo, they came back to have comprehensive wins against the host team, Scarborough, and Yorkshire rivals, Yarnbury. Although the festival was played for participation and enjoyment, everyone was pleased to be top of the table at the end of Day 1. An afternoon of fun and games followed before pizza for everyone and a night of judging Britain's Got Talent and some very in-depth conversations about celebrity status.

Sunday morning arrived and with a very quiet pitch (most teams were still in bed when we arrived), the team started to shake out the cobwebs and set about the day's task of rugby and fun. The day started with the rematch against Blackburn, and the team worked really hard to earn a draw. Then after refueling on Milky Bars, and the coaches starring on TV, the team went on to beat Scarborough and Yarnbury again, meaning that unofficially, they finished top of the league for the weekend. Only one thing left to do – collect their medals !!

Before leaving for home, Captain BJ Howe gave a post match speech over lunch, and the boys were presented with a momento of their weekend and some awards for their endeavours. Most effort went to Frazer "Grey Mist" Eland, top try scorer went to Aaron "Twinkle Toes" Donald, and player of the weekend as voted by the opposition coaches went to BJ "Billy Whiz" Howe.

Well done to everyone for their efforts, and a massive thanks to Jo for organizing the whole weekend.

A Day At The Park

Doncaster Knights Under 8's Training

All ears

Hands ready

Looking for the support

With the pitches declared unplayable again this week at Castle Park, the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8's headed to the park, determined not to let their preparations for next week's festival be affected.

The fresh morning air went to everyone's head with even the coaches joining in the warm up run around the park!! It wasn't long before everyone had got used to the 'soft' ground, and the boys were running through their passing exercises with real confidence, and even when the coaches introduced some more tricky stages, the team looked relaxed and confident in their approach.

The expanding squad worked really hard together and there was some crisp passing on display in the final practice match, where Dan Pendergast showed some strength and determination in his running and passing, and the support play from Owain Herring would have given England a boost the day before.

This is a TEAM with ability throughout, and they go into next week's festival with the aim of having some real fun, and who knows what is possible!! Good luck boys.

Anyone for a mudbath ??

Oliver times his pass

Conor bursts through

BJ finds the gap

Sunday saw the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8's head to the North of the county to test themselves against a strong Harrogate outfit.

Once they had found their way across the mud planes to the slightly more solid ground of the pitch, they set about their task. Conor Gilmore picked up where he left off last week, collecting TAGS for souvenirs and scoring his first ever try for the club.

Despite the snow that was starting to fall, the Knights team pressured well and were unlucky to be edged out 7 tries to 6 in the first game.

The team huddled together and hatched a master plan for the second game, and with some great defence and pressure, causing several mistakes from Harrogate, Player of the Day, Thomas Colcombe, led the way with some determined running and great support from Aaron Donald, BJ Howe and Niall Bates - saw Doncaster take control and run out winners by 19 tries to 9. An excellent result which saw the whole squad smiling through the shivers.

Next week sees the team take on Bradford and Bingley with the chance to overturn the slip up from earlier in the season - GOOD LUCK BOYS !!

Aaron leading the U8s on the attack

Huddling in the cold and the mud

He draws, he passes, Niall catches, runs and scores. Crowd cheers!


Doncaster Knights Under 8's
http://www.drfc.co.uk/MoreRugby/Junior/under8s/