Doncaster Knights: Ollie Stedman impresses in derby defeat

Having joined from Ealing last week, Stedman scored a first half try to secure Knights an 18-10 interval lead only to see the side he joined after leaving Castle Park a couple of years ago come from behind to complete a double.

'I enjoyed being out there but it was a difficult game to get into because it was very stop-start and the set-piece was a bit of a lottery at times.' he said. 'I think they probably coped with the situation better than we did.

'Having said that I thought we played quite well at times in the first half and probably should have had a few more points to show for it.

'When I scored just before half time we thought that would be a turning point and that we'd kick on from there in the second half but it didn't turn out that way.

'Our discipline wasn't good enough at times and we allowed them to get a foothold in the game and when you start having players sent to the bin '“ we were down to 12 men at one stage '“ it makes things difficult.'

Although Knights as a team lost their way in a second half which saw five players sin-binned, Stedman lasted the pace well.

'Although I've not started manly games this season, mainly coming off the bench, I've been training hard and fitness wasn't a problem,' he said.

'You always want to play well every time you go out there but particularly so in your first game.

'It's been a bit frustrating not playing as much as I would have liked at Ealing. When that happens you naturally start doubting yourself but once you get out there all the worries disappear.'