Knights warned against complacency
DONCASTER Knights must guard against complacency when they face Championship basement side Birmingham & Solihull, boss Lynn Howells has warned.
A 20-9 victory at London Welsh on Saturday means Doncaster go into this weekend's Castle Park clash (5pm) on the back of three straight wins - after starting the season with six successive defeats.
But Howells, who faces a selection dilemma after several members of his injury hit squad came through a tough 'A' team fixture this week, will warn his side not to take the win-less Midlanders lightly.
He said: "It's a situation we haven't been in this season.
"So far this year we've gone into games and we've been seen as the underdogs.
"Now we're going into Saturday as favourites.
"It's a different outlook on the game but that is something we have to deal with.
"We've just got to keep on doing what we've been doing.
"We've got to try and play a bit better than we did on Saturday and keep moving forward and improving."
A strong looking Knights 'A' XV lost to Scottish side Gael Force 20-19 on Monday night.
The keenly contested clash saw club captain Anthony Carter, Tom Davies, Glen Kenworthy, Chris Planchant, Neil Cochrane, Steve Lawrie and Dan Smith all continue their comebacks from injury.
Howells said: "The 'A' team game went well and all the lads came through without any reaction.
"Three or four weeks ago we would have bitten someone's hand off to get them back.
"But now we've got a settled team and those players not currently in the side are going to have to fight for their place.
"They'll have to wait for their turn."
Rejuvenated Doncaster continued their impressive turnaround in form with a hard earned victory at Old Deer Park against a London Welsh side previously unbeaten at home.
Debutant winger Matt Williams marked his first start for Knights with the opening score of the game, converted by Ali Warnock.
Welsh fought back, and registered through three Aled Thomas penalties, but two Warnock penalties and a converted penalty try in the second half gave Doncaster victory.
Howells said: "It wasn't a game for the purist and it was a hard fought victory but we were by far the better team.
"Our defence and discipline were again very good - those are the areas we've improved on over the last three games.
"We look a lot more organised now and the players understand the system we are trying to play.
"It was a very pleasing performance because it showed that the result against Bristol was not just a one off."
Doncaster currently sit one place above bottom club Birmingham & Solihull in the Championship standings.
Saturday's visitors to Armthorpe Road have lost all nine of their league fixtures this season.
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Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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