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 !!

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!

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.

High Expectations Dashed Again!

Coiled Springs

Sunday saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s make the short trip up the A19 to take part in the Selby Festival. The sun was in the sky, and despite some players and supporters being stuck oversees, the team was confident that this was their chance to shine. The day got off to a great start with a hard earned draw against Moortown. Only a curious decision to disallow what looked like a great try from the skipper kept the team level.

Hands up and check for nits

There was no break before the boys were onto their next game and with a well earned win against the hosts it looked like the day was going to plan. The boys had a long break before their next game, and the refreshment break looked to takes its toll against a giant Dinnington side who looked to be able to destroy anything in its path. A defeat meant that the result of the last game between Moortown and Selby could make the difference between qualification and a trip home. After an even first half, Moortown stepped up a gear and their result meant they went through to the semi finals on points difference.

Spot the ball

Get the Ref!

Catch!

For the boys not going on tour, this was the last rugby of the season, but I am sure it is just the start of a long journey for the team.

Well done to everyone, and a massive thanks to our supporters!

Some photos from Sunday

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Some photos of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s at the festival of junior rugby at Castle Park on Sunday 21st March

Thomas tries to escape the zebras

Ol tries to free the ball

James helps the ball on its way

Help Me !!

Conor on the hoof

Can Aaron make it?

BJ on the run

Ben wins the lineout

Knights Brave Defence of the Castle

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Doncaster Knights under 9’s

Sunday 21st saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s take on all comers in the festival of junior rugby at Castle Park. For many of the team, this was the first time they had experienced this sort of day, and it would prove to be valuable learning for everyone.

We were able to field 2 teams, which stretched our resources to the full, meaning all 18 players on duty faced the prospect of at least 3 games without a break. But this didn’t seem to phase any of them, as they set about their task.

The 2 captains for the day, BJ and Joe, led their teams from the front, and they battled hard as teams, the highlights being a well earned draw against Otley for the red team, and a fantastic 40 – 0 win for the blue team against local rivals, Selby.

As lunch time arrived, the boys were really starting to get into the flow of the day, and with 4 tired coaches, and a whole stack of hoarse families on the sidelines, it was down to the head coach to break the news we had all been dreading ………….

……. Both teams had made the semi finals, but the journey for one team would have to end here as they had drawn each other !!!!

The Semifinal was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of a family loss this week, and then both teams got stuck into each other like they were complete strangers! They banged into each other, knocked each other over and ran for all their worth, and the effort was clear to see, and was summed up by Josh from the red team who chased BJ all the way to the line before tackling him and causing BJ to spill the ball – no try – well done Josh.

Eventually the blue team came out on top, and would go on to the final. The boys were starting to tire now, so some of the red team were enrolled as substitutes for the final.

This was it; the boys had got to the final with a smile on their faces, and they just needed one more effort, but it wasn’t to be. As one by one the substitutes were called into play, the 9 men left on the field had run themselves to water and given their all for the team, only to be edged out by a solitary score.

It was tough for the boys, but the smiles on the photo show the day was a huge success, and as each player collected their medal, perhaps only the parents were really left to wonder what might have been. BJ shook every player by the hand, and as they came together for the photos, all was forgotten and the smiles returned.

WELL DONE BOYS – YOU SHOULD BE REALLY PROUD OF YOUR EFFORTS

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