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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Knights begin the long season

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Don't stop me now!

Ready when you are!

Sunday saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s enter into their first competitive game following their exhibition at Headingley last weekend.

Everyone was up for the challenge of a Newark side who had beaten all comers in their opening tournament last weekend. The dressing room bounced to the sound of Scouting for Girls as the team prepared for battle. They trained well and looked ready for the challenge, but this was new territory. The boys were no longer trying to knock over a team mate in training; they now had complete strangers trying to knock them down, and the first half took its toll. After some changes and some words from the coaches, the team set about the second half with renewed vigour, and started to put into practice some of what they had learned. They looked much more relaxed and started to pass, tackle and even fight for the ball. The result didn’t go their way, but the team came a long way during this game. During the second game, the team looked to be working much better together, and resisted the advances of Newark for a longer period. They battled hard and were once again edged out of a competitive game.

Today's experience will be invaluable to the team, and they will go from strength to strength as the season progresses. I was especially proud of the efforts of everyone today and the smiles afterwards. The boys knew they had been tested, but know what they have to work on. Well done to Jack who took the Player of the Day having contributed massively in both games, and to BJ who ran himself to a standstill for his team. A special mention to Josh who broke with tradition by scoring so early in the season, and to Thomas for his tackling and James for his tireless running. A huge thanks to Mick for refereeing, and last but not least, thanks to the parents, who at times looked more nervous than the boys (and me). Your support is greatly appreciated.

Good luck for Selby next week.

Junior Rugby: Doncaster Knights under 9’s season kicks off to a good start

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All action

Debut at last

Sunday saw the contact rugby debut of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s, and this was no ordinary game !!

The boys got the chance to play at Headingley Carnegie during the half time interval in the premiership match between Leeds and Gloucester – in front of almost 6000 people. They handled themselves really well, and were not in intimidated by the crowd; in fact, with the twinkle toes of Aaron, the determination of James on his debut and the voices of BJ and Oliver, they positively rose to the occasion, and Conor's applause to the crowd on his way from the field was a clear indication of the enjoyment all round.

As coaches, we were really proud of the boys' first effort, and we are all really looking forward to our first competitive game against Newark on Sunday.

GOOD LUCK BOYS

Mark
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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

SJK Products presents awards to the Doncaster Knights Under 8’s

Tim Jones, Chairman of SJK Products (manufacturers of Miracle Drywash), was on hand recently to present awards for outstanding achievement to team members of the Doncaster Knights Under 8’s.

Autoglass and Miracle Drywash are joint sponsors of the
Doncaster Knights Under 8’s for the 2008/9 rugby season

Doncaster Knights Under 8’s Rugby Team

Autoglass and Miracle Drywash are joint sponsors of the
Doncaster Knights Under 8’s for the 2008/9 rugby season