Knights stay positive after losing six in a row
LYNN Howells' struggling Doncaster Knights hope to end their losing streak by playing a positive brand of rugby at Plymouth on Saturday.
The Castle Park club showed flashes of the attacking play they are capable of against Coventry at the weekend - and claimed their first point of the season.
But that did not make up for a sixth straight Championship defeat as Doncaster let a narrow second half lead slip to lose 17-14 to the lowly Midlanders.
Howells and his troops face the long journey to Plymouth Albion on Saturday and is promising a positive approach from his men at The Brickfields.
He said: "We'll go there and have a real go.
"We played a lot better than we have been playing against Coventry and if we go into our shells on Saturday then we'll take a backwards step.
"We've got to go there and play positive rugby.
"It's not an easy place to go - we've only won there once.
"But it's a game the boys are really looking forward to - despite the start we've had.
"Everybody is just desperate to get that first win."
He added: "Perhaps playing away from home there'll be a little less pressure on the boys.
"When you play at home everybody expects you to win and that's what we've built up at Castle Park over the last two years.
"Maybe that will work in our favour this weekend."
The injury hit Knights, who currently have 13 players on the treatment table, took a 14-10 lead early in the second half against Coventry courtesy of two Ali Warnock penalties.
Another Warnock penalty and a Steve McColl try had got Doncaster on the board in the first period, although the visitors turned around in front thanks to a converted Romain Plantey try and a George Crook penalty.
But the Knights failed to hold on to their advantage as Coventry almost camped in Doncaster territory for the final quarter and got their reward when David Maddix scored and Ben Russell converted.
Warnock had the chance to level the game deep into stoppage time with a 40-yard penalty but his kick lacked direction and distance.
Howells said: "The last 20 minutes was disappointing.
"We gave the ball away too easily and we lacked a bit of leadership on the field. We've just got to stay positive," he added.
"The lads are a really good bunch and they're working hard for each other - and that includes the injured players who are doing what they can behind the scenes.
"It's a difficult place to be at the moment with the way results are going but that's not down to a lack of effort."
Despite losing Knights moved off the bottom by virtue of securing a losing bonus point.
But the injury problems show no sign of improving with fly half James Brooks limping off with a hip complaint expected to keep him out for three weeks.
Centre Chris Briers is suspended this weekend for his sending off against Nottingham.
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Weather for Doncaster
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
