Hat-trick hero Wilson leads way for noble Knights
DONCASTER produced a sensational attacking display to earn a five-point victory with six tries against London Scottish.
A hat-trick from wing Curtis Wilson in addition to Tom James, Nick Civetta and Steve McColl earned the Knights a well-deserved win.
The first half began with the Knights on the front foot. However, they found themselves behind when a pass was intercepted just five metres from the Scottish try line.
Miles Mantella stretched away to dot down and raise his side’s hopes.
An instant reply showed the character of Doncaster as Cameron Cowell made a superb break over halfway, side-stepping a couple of Scottish players before passing to Josh Tyrell.
The Samoan international made a quick offload to Tom James as he approached the 22 and the scrum-half fought off a tackle and touched down for his fifth try of the season.
The momentum went back and forth. Scottish regained the lead when a pass hit Michael Hills on the back and bounced favourably for Mantella to score his second try of the afternoon.
It took just six minutes for the Knights to reply, though, as McColl intercepted a pass on halfway and found a burst of speed to reach the line. Kurt Morath converted to give Doncaster a 10-14 lead.
Scottish regained the lead through Joe LucaSmith with just under half an hour gone.
A box kick from James bounced favourably once again for the Scottish and, after a couple of quick passes, Smith scored in the corner. But the Knights showed their character and determination once again.
Nick Civetta scored his second try in as many away games with a close-range drive after a number of pick-and-go’s.
Curtis Wilson added to the score with his first try of the season after an incredible sprint from 50 metres following a good pass from Morath.
The second half brought an expected reaction from the Scottish and they put the first points on the board. On 56 minutes, Smith scored another try to narrow the Knights’ lead to 20-24.
From that moment, though, it was the Knights who began to dominate at the Athletic Ground, with the backing of their vocal supporters for a superb Doncaster display.
Buoyed by the crowd, Wilson scored and gave those who had made the long trip south feel it was worth it.
After a sensational kick from one side of the pitch to the other from Morath, Wilson caught the ball, brushed off a tackle and dived over to extend the lead to 20-31.
The match was left in a tense poisition when Cowell was sin binned for not rolling away with 20 minutes to go.
But Wilson completed his hat-trick when James made a quick pass to Morath.
He spotted an overload and Wilson gratefully received the ball to score with ease and hand the Knights a victory they very much deserved