Mothers Day at Headingley

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s take a team to play at Headingley for what will probably be the last time.

We had a great day out, and as BJ shared out the chocolates to celebrate Mothers Day, the Leeds mascot Terry the Tyke came to sit with the team. Having tried to steal a few chocs and a pint of beer from one of the dads, he left us to it with his best wishes for a good game.

As Leeds Carnegie went into the break looking like they might record their second home league win of the season and get one step closer to avoiding relegation, the Knights took to the field against Keighley.

The game was tight on a very small pitch, but somehow BJ managed to squeeze free and put the Knights in front. Some great defending on their own line meant they were still in it when BJ broke free again and looked like he would double the lead - it wasnt to be, a last ditch tackle saw BJ sprawled across the Headingley turf with what would turn out to be a season ending dislocated shoulder and broken collar bone !

Still reeling, the Knights conceded a quick try, but then Corey, Liam, Olc, Ol D, Frazer, Rory, Josh and Joe pulled together and gave it their all - I was really proud of their efforts, but another try for Keighley was to prove too much for the Knights on the day.

Carnegie did go on to win, which was at least some comfort for BJ.

2 weeks to our Scarborough tour, and we are all really looking forwards to it - watch this space for updates.

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 !

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.

Still Working Hard

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s training at Castle Park, and we took the opportunity to move onto the bigger pitch we will use next season, and play with next seasons rules. The boys had more space, extra players and the added interest of kicking.

Together we worked through the different stage of the game, and finished with a full game with all the players handling well, tackling strongly and some great kicking - both out of hand and in front of goal. Everybody thinks they can kick, but choosing the right kick at the right time and executing it well is a difficult art to master, and everyone showed some real promise.

Next week we are back to matches, with only a week to go until the Doncaster Junior rugby festival - good luck boys !

Caption Competition

Amongst all the great photos Brian takes every Sunday, he has sent this one for us to ponder.

Any thoughts - drop the coaches an email, and there is a prize for the best caption

Good Luck Everyone !!

Back To Basics

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s back in training after a tough couple of weeks of matches. Next season, the boys will step up another level and introduce a second row to the scrums, a full back and the mysterious art of kicking.

Bit by bit we are starting to introduce these to the boys, and this morning saw us play our first practice match with a 5 man scrum, and the boys really handled it well.

With ears taped up the boys tried out a host of new positions, and they looked like they had been doing it for years.

Well done boys, a great effort all round, I can't wait until next season !!

A day out in Derbyshire

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s cross the border into Derbyshire for a rematch against Chesterfield. Earlier in the season the sides had drawn 10 - 10 at Castle Park and they were on the hunt for a more positive return.

The Knights had a great start and for a rare moment this season, they actually led the game and werent having to come from behind. Some excellent running from Corey and a great offload saw Joe run in a great try.

It wasnt long before Chesterfield were back in it and the sides were all sqaure going into half time.

Some fantastic tackling from the Knights kept them in it and the sides traded territory and possession throughout the second half but neither could break the deadlock and it finished honours even.

The effort was clear to see and the boys were gutted but they should be proud of their efforts.

Now the focus had to turn to game 2, both sides were keen to change the result, and 2 completely different sets of players took the field. The Knights were driven on by a battling Owain and they started to look like they might edge it. That was until Chesterfield sent on some of their more established players from the first game, and they just seemed to have too much fire power for the Knights.

The boys stuck at it and never gave up on the task - another fabulous effort.

Special mention to players of the day Aaron and Thomas - well done !