Knights go top with fourth win on the spin
DONCASTER’S stellar start to this Championship campaign gathered pace at Castle Park with their fourth successive victory – and their first win against Cornish Pirates since 2016 – to go top of the table.
Much was expected from both sides who’d won their opening three Championship games, and the contest lived up fully to its build-up with both scoring two tries in a tense affair.
“A lot of credit for this win must go to our conditioning coach Dougie Flockhart because our boys were physically so good,” said Doncaster head coach Steve Boden.
“We were dominant in the mauls, lineouts and in collisions because of the work of our backroom staff. There are still areas where we need to be a lot better but I was delighted we
were able to control large parts of the second half.”
Doncaster survived two yellow cards against forwards Jerry Sexton (high tackle) and Guido Volpi (collapsing maul) before half-time meaning that at one period the Knights were reduced to 13 players. But apart from the award of a penalty try to Pirates after Volpi’s infringement, the visitors were unable to score again while the Yorkshire club were depleted.
The Knights started well and flanker John Kelly burst over from a maul to open the scoring with Pirates flanker Josh Caulfield in the bin for offside. Their 7-0 lead didn’t last long as Pirates No.8 Tom Duncan scored in the corner following several raids by his pack.
Pirates led 12-7 after the award of the penalty try with Doncaster struggling to achieve attacking positions in the Pirates’ 22.
Momentum moved further in Pirates’ direction when fly-half Will Cargill’s penalty stretched their advantage to 15-7 on 55 minutes.
But with their unbeaten record under threat, Doncaster increased their pace and the pack gained some promising positions.
In an entertaining last 20 minutes, Welsh centre
Connor Edwards, on loan from Dragons, crashed over from short range and with fly-half Sam Olver converting, Pirates’ lead was slashed to only 15-14.
As Doncaster’s forwards began to earn more territory and the penalty count against Pirates rose, Olver’s penalty in the 75th minute put Doncaster ahead for the first time since Kelly’s try on seven minutes.
In a thrilling climax, Pirates counter-attacked into Doncaster’s half and when the Knights were penalised on 78 minutes, Cargill had the chance to overhaul the 17-15 deficit. His left footed kick, however, missed narrowly and Doncaster survived.
Pirates, failing to reach the standards that produced their sensational win over Saracens, did have their opportunities but couldn’t take them.
Coach Gavin Cattle said: “We made a lot of errors and had good field positions which created lots of chances, but we were inaccurate. We have to be a lot better to take those scoring opportunities.”