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 !!

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.

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 !!

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.

Stepping Up The Training

Sunday 12th September

Sunday was week 2 of training for the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s, and with yet more new faces joining the squad, there was going to be a lot to cover. First things first, the boys were issued with their new Onedrywash sponsored training kits, and once again they turned heads as they left the dressing room. This years training kit also carries the logo of CLAPA - the cleft lip and palate association, and there will be more news on the teams links with them over the next few week.

For the first time this season, the 'donkeys' headed off for some scrummaging and line out practice, and the 'girls' went off to compare new boots and do a bit of passing practice. It is always difficult for any new player, especially coming into an established squad, but couple that with the daft rules of having to run forwards and pass backwards, and this is a difficult game for anyone to master - But by the end of the session, we had a game of semi contact rugby, that started to resemble the real thing - we are on our way !!

Well done to everyone for working so hard, and especially Owain - our player of the week.

A Run in the Sun

Ready to go!

This morning saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10’s return to full training in the build up to their first game in October. It was like we had never been away, the boys were there bright and early and hit the field ready to train. Todays aim was to blow away the cobwebs, and we set about 90 minutes of running, more running and a bit more running, and rounded off the day with the first time trials of the season, with the boys recording times for 10m, 20m, 40m sprints and a 3 lap run.

It was a great session, enjoyed by all – and we welcomed 3 new faces to the team.

This is an important season for the boys, as we move ever closer to the ‘big pitch’ , the game moves one step closer to the one they watch their heroes play on TV.

The boys are back and raring to go – watch this space to see the new kit unveiled and news on the teams charity work for this season.

If you cant wait that long, why not keep up to date on Twitter? @DonnyKnights10s