Knights need to keep their heads
LYNN Howells will tell his frustrated players to keep their heads when Doncaster Knights attempt to end their losing run at home to Coventry on Saturday.
Flanker Adam Kettle and winger Chris Briers both saw red as the Knights crashed to a fifth straight Championship defeat at the weekend, losing 23-7 at home to Nottingham.
Doncaster's director of rugby said he took heart from an improved display - but was left fuming after the referee controversially ruled that Briers had thrown a punch at an opponent in the dying seconds of the game.
Kettle had already been dismissed in first half stoppage time after a fracas with Nottingham's Nick Rouse.
Howells said this week it was vital that the Knights keep 15 men on the pitch when Coventry travel to Castle Park on Saturday (3pm).
He said: "The second sending off really upset me.
"The game of rugby should be bigger than that - if we're going to have players diving around getting players sent off then we're going down the road of soccer.
"Adam Kettle on the other hand retaliated after being hit and you can't condone that.
"It has to be a lot more disciplined at the weekend.
"You cannot win games with 14 men on the field and we played a lot of the game with 13.
"It's also not acceptable to concede twice as many penalties than the opposition on your home ground.
"The performance, however, was a lot better than the previous week and we certainly moved forward against Nottingham.
"But we need to take it up another gear.
He added: "It's a must-win game this weekend against Coventry for one reason - we need a win for confidence.
"It's not a must-win in terms of the outcome of the season.
"But the lads need a win to get things moving and put a smile back on their faces."
The injury hit Knights have been forced into registering assistant coach Brett Davey as a player and the Welshman was an unused substitute against Nottingham.
Howells' patched up side had battled hard in a first period played in blustery conditions and almost scored in the first minute from a five metre line out.
But the 14 men were undone by three second half tries inside ten minutes as Tim Usasz, Ben Johnston and Luke Sheriff went over to give their side a 23-0 advantage - with the help of another Donks penalty and conversion.
Replacement scrum half Chris Hallam darted in after the ball was charged down to restore some pride, and Ali Warnock added the extras for the Knights, but it was merely a consolation.
Knights face a Coventry side who have lost four on the bounce since beating Rotherham on the opening day of the season.
The Castle Park club currently have only 18 players in training and Simon Grainger (neck), and Dan Smith (back), face late fitness checks ahead of this weekend.
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Weather for Doncaster
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
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