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.

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 !!

The continuing story of Jo's fundraising marathon

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The proud team

Still smiling

Giving a junior rugby team a season full of exciting new experiences, kitting them out and touring all costs money! Whilst we really appreciate the support we get from Onedrywash, we never take it for granted. With that in mind Jo has set about raising as much as she can for the team with a summer full of running.

Wednesday night saw the annual Doncaster road race, and yet another challenge for Jo - and one she rose to, setting a personal best time over the testing 5k course. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored Jo so far; we are now over £200 and still got the half marathon to go - good luck Jo!!

The story doesn't end there. Loz, BJ and Joe were joined by friends, Dan and Romany, to take on the 1 mile fun run and all did really well, managing to drag the 'enthusiastic' Brian round too!

Thanks again to Ian, Ol and Harriet who yet again turned up to support!

If you want to offer your support to the team, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

/jw/.

Junior rugby: preparations for the new season

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Up, up and away!

2 weeks and counting

This week saw the half way point in the preparations for the new season for the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 9’s. This was the start of week 3 of our 4-week preparations, and we are officially a rugby team !! We played our first practice match, 15 minutes of tackling, banging, boshing, scrummaging and organized chaos.

As head coach, it’s a nervous time, but this was 15 minutes of real rugby, of some slick passing, excellent support play and top tries. I have never felt more confident that, as a team, we will be ready for our first outing at Headingley on October 4th. The effort and development of the players has been fantastic, and the support for the coaching team from parents has been brilliant – thanks !!

Come here!

Next weekend will see our last 2 sessions, and we will be pushing towards a full practice match. Keep up the hard work boys – good luck from the coaching team.

Well done to this week's player of the week – seen below directing his troops – captain BJ, and newcomer, Jack, who was rewarded for his efforts with the prestigious ‘Most Effort for the Team’ award.

That way!

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First scrum, first lineout and first ‘real’ rugby

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The first scrum

This week's session saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 9’s reach the halfway point in the preparation for their contact rugby debut, and all the hard work looks to be paying off.

This weekend saw the boys experience their first scrum – a scary moment for mums and dads - their first lineout, and their first ‘real’ rugby!! As coaches, it's quite unnerving to see the team which took on the world last season have moments of looking like they have never played the game before. But the truth is, they never have – well not in this format. Nobody wants to stand in an attacking line waiting for a pass when they can run in and ‘BOSH’ someone and get it for themselves. Nobody wants to pass the ball to a team mate when they can run over someone, and who can blame them? The most important thing for us as coaches at this stage is to see the boys grasping the basics – which they are doing really well, and most importantly enjoying themselves – which, as the ear-to-ear, gumshield-baring smiles suggest, is very much the case.

We have 4 sessions left before our first outing, and if the current progress is anything to go by, I am sure it won't be long before we establish ourselves as ‘world beaters’ again. I am sure we are in the same position as every other team at this stage of the season. The difference for the Knights being the team spirit, the big smile and the desire to succeed – WATCH THIS SPACE.

Well Done this week's Player of the Week, Dan, and the rising star who gave the most in training: Fraser!

oooffff!!

time for a cuddle

player of the week

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Knights back to business

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New season begins for the Doncaster Knights under 9’s Rugby Team

Back to business

Sunday (6th Sept) saw the first full training session of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 9’s.

The team has kept in contact over the summer with some get togethers at the local park, and last weekend saw the Knights' north sea challenge which was won by Luis Haythorne, closely followed by Joseph Tune and Conor Gilmore; they were after all the only ones daft enough to leave the relative safety of the beach at Bridlington. The team spent the afternoon at the fairground with one or two parents looking a bit more shaken than the boys !!

Pre-season dip

This week saw the team return to the real business of learning a whole new game of ‘contact’ rugby. The team paraded out in their new shoulder pads and head guards with newly fitted silencers – better know as gum shields - ensuring a peaceful day for the coaches. The squad has swelled in number over the summer and have a lot to learn over the coming weeks, but with the support of the coaches and the great effort being shown by the boys, all the signs point to another great season for the team.

One Wetwash!

They have 3 weeks left to prepare for their first outing at Headingley Carnegie during their premiership game with Gloucester. Then it's down to business with trips all over Yorkshire in the coming months.

"Thanks to Onedrywash for their continued support – we plan to represent you with pride again this season."

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Player of the Year (junior rugby)

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Donny Knight and John Rouse, the tournament manager,
presents the Captain, BJ Howe, with a commemorative ball

Great News for The Captain !!

Last week, Captain of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8’s was chosen to represent Kirk Sandall Junior School under 11’s. Despite playing 3 years above his age, BJ led by example, scoring some excellent tries and was bitterly disappointed to be on the losing side in the final.

His day took a turn for the better though during the presentations when he was recognized as the ‘Donny Knight Young Player of the Year for 2009’.

A big well done from the rest of the team – here’s hoping he plays as well next season.
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Doncaster Knights Under 8’s Update

Together we did!!

Sunday saw the visit of Paviors to Castle Park, determined to overturn their defeat in the rain from October. But the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored side were determined if nothing else, and they defended solidly all day, with the TAGmaster Connor Gilmore earning Player of the Day for his efforts.

Despite the ‘physical’ nature of this non-contact encounter, the Knights stuck to their task and, following a draw in the first outing, worked hard to win by a couple of tries in their second game.

The joy on everyone’s faces was clear to see, but Paviors determination saw them ask for a third game and one more chance to take their revenge. With both teams tiring, a very scrappy game ensued with the away team edging it by one point. Now everyone could go home happy!!

It was a great day for the team, with everyone getting a chance to run with the ball in hand, and some new names appearing on the score sheet, which led to Oliver Cunnigham earning the respect of his team as the winner of the coveted Most Effort Award.

Well done everyone – Bring on Harrogate next week.

Under 8’s announce end of season tour

This weekend the Miracle Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 8’s confirmed plans for their first ever tour, where they will put their skills to the test at the Scarborough International Festival in April 09.

There are 10 families heading for a weekend of holiday park fun with some rugby scattered in between, and they will be working hard over the coming weeks to raise some money for transport and on-tour refreshments !!

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