Knights put plucky Sale to the sword
DONCASTER Knights secured their second win of pre-season in fine fashion scoring six tries on a scorching afternoon in Sale.
Doncaster DoR Clive Griffiths was delighted with the performance from the Knights as his side builds towards the kick-off of the Championship Cup.
“It was very clinical; we were strong until the end and it was great signs for the future,” he said.
“Our cohesion and intent in the first half was good, we have one more game left to take stock before the first Cup game and I am well content with the way things are going at the moment.”
Knights began the game in dominant fashion and scored after just five minutes. Rory Pitman burst through a gap deep into the Sale 22 to touch down, Sam Olver converted.
National One side Sale looked for a quick reply and nearly had a score when Jeremy Toa broke away from inside his own half, however the centre was eventually tackled inside the Knights’ 22 by full-back Steve McColl.
Doncaster regained possession and soon fired back when an Olver pass found Tyson Lewis down the left flank. The winger was left with plenty to do, but the 34year-old used his pace to power past two tackles and dot down.
The control of the game was firmly in the Championship outfit hands and they extended their lead as the clock hit the 30-minute mark. Lloyd Hayes palmed off a tackle and offloaded to the supporting Tom James, who dotted down with ease. Olver added the extras to give Knights a 21-0 lead.
James soon scored again as he dummied off the back off a driving maul, with Olver converting for a 28-0 advantage at half-time.
The first try of the second half came from Pitman again, who drove over from close range after an impressive maul.
Sale eventually scored after 69 minutes, a driving maul deep in the Knights’ half allowed Johnny Leota the space to barge over with Emiliano Calle Rivas converting well.
Doncaster attacked again and debutant George Edgson collected a Reiss Cullen offload just outside the Sale 22, before dotting down to again extend the Knights’ lead’.
The home side battled throughout and doubled their points on the scoreboard with former Leicester and Sale Sharks wing Tom Brady the scorer from a driving maul.
Chris Johnson converted to end the game 42-14 to the Knights after an imposing performance from the away side.
REFEREE: James O’Brien ATTENDANCE: 498 Star man
Tom James - Doncaster