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 !

A tough day at the castle

Sunday saw the Onedrywash sponsored Doncaster Knights under 10s host local rivals York in a keenly anticpated rematch. Earlier in the season York had dominated the fixture, and with the Knights finding the winning trail in recent weeks, they couldn't wait to get stuck in.

The first game was evenly contested until York finally got on the scoreboard, and they went on to open up a good lead. However the game wasn't over, and with a couple of small changes to the team, they threw everything at York and came within one score of tying the game. It was a really positive finish and a great platfrom to get back to winning ways.

The second game went in much the same way, York got off to a great start and opened up a lead only for Doncaster to fight their way back in. There was some huge effort on show and the Knights were unlucky to comne off second best.

The boys really worked York hard, and the improvement was there for everyone to see - next week we are off to Chestefield and determined to get back to winning ways !

Well done everyone and especially coaches award winneres Josh and Liam.