Dashing Knights ready for Cardiff backlash

DONCASTER climbed into second spot in Pool 2 with an impressive ten-try win at Castle Park.

Knights will be looking to complete the double in the return on Saturday but Cardiff boss Justin Burnell predicts a tougher game.

“It will be a different scoreline next weekend – I’m confident of that – and we certainly won’t be rolling over,” he said.

Centre Will Owen, who captained Doncaster in the absence of flanker Michael Hills, said: “I’m sure we’ll see some reaction. We’re expecting a tough game.”

As expected, Doncaster proved too strong and experienced for the young Welsh side and the game was effectively over well before the break by which time they had run in five tries.

Fielding about the strongest side they could put out, Knights scored more than a point a minute in the first quarter – the visitors bombing their only real chance during that period. With No.8 Jason Hill – whose 55-metre solo was the try of the game – setting a tremendous lead in the forward exchanges, Knights continued to dominate, despite well- worked Blues tries from Dane Blacker and Billy Millard.

Little was seen of the visitors’ attack in the second half – the loss of scrumhalf Blacker not helping – and although they kept battling, Knights scored another five tries.

Fly-half Simon Humberstone kicked nine goals from nine.