Talking Doncaster Sport: Dons and Knights chat, athletics success and a fond farewell

Doncaster RLFC return to Betfred Championship action against Oldham at Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold ground on Friday night.

The Dons found themselves without a game at the weekend as a result of North Wales Crusaders’ financial problems which meant that the Colwyn Bay-base club had to seek a postponement.

Crusaders are the third Championship club in recent months to find themselves in serious financial trouble and I wouldn’t be surprised, not least because of the current global turmoil which will add to the costs of already hard-up clubs, if others find themselves in a similar situation before the end of the season.

On paper the Oldham game – the latest to be moved away from Boundary Park due to a fall-out between the club and landlords Oldham Athletic - is one of their toughest league games

The Dons will not lack confidence going into the game, however, despite suffering a 30-16 home defeat against league leaders London Broncos in their last outing.

Although the Dons, who led 16-6 going into the final quarter, conceded three late tries I don’t think it was a case of London’s superior fitness - as has often been the case in the past when the club faced a full-time side - being the difference.

Speaking as a former athlete and athletics coach, I’ve been impressed with the fitness levels of the current squad.

Having spoken to members of the coaching staff, the quality of the club’s pre-season build-up and weekly sessions seem to have been well thought out and well implemented by the fitness staff. And with the game much quicker this season as a result of the new ruck rules – something which has made a huge improvement to the spectacle - players in all positions need to be fitter.

It reflects great credit on the professionalism of many part-time players at Championship level that they are prepared to work so hard on their fitness two/three times a week after a gruelling day at work and tackling the rush-hour traffic.

* Doncaster Athletic Club’s Krystian Michalski is a young man in a hurry.

Born and raised in Doncaster by his Polish parents, the 16 year-old sprinter looks to have a bright future in the sport.

He clocked the fourth fastest U18B 200m time (21.54) in the UK this season during the club’s Spring Open meeting in April.

Krystian was encouraged to join the club by his PE teacher at Armthorpe Academy two years ago after winning the Doncaster Schools’ 100m title but failing to achieve the qualification for the English Schools’ Championships in Birmingham that year in the South Yorkshire Schools’ Championships

Krystian took his advice and has come on leaps and bounds since linking up with the club’s lead coach Jude Allam and Jez Greenwood Mitchell. He also works on additional strength and power training away from the track with fitness coach Anthony Browne who works alongside Jude.

The teenager has proved a popular and valued member of the club with officials praising his positivity and focus on achieving results by hard work.

Krystian, who has high expectations in both the forthcoming Yorkshire and Northen Championships, says: “There is so much more to come in the future.”

Krystian is the latest of a number of talented Doncaster athletes to come through the ranks since the opening of the track in 2007.

Said club chairman Kev Lincoln: “The facilities at the stadium are a huge attraction for all athletes and Doncaster is extremely privileged to have such amazing training facilities when so many other tracks are struggling, or in some cases, closing down.

“One thing is for sure, like Krystian, there are more athletic successes to come in the future.”

* Doncaster Knights will bring down the curtain on what has generally been a disappointing Champ campaign next Saturday when they entertain Nottingham.

The Nottingham fixture has been Knights’ main local 'derby' in recent years but that will change next season following Rotherham Titans' promotion from National One.

The home game against Titans was always the highlight of the season for many fans – and they were special occasions. But the visit of Bedford Blues, renowned for their attacking style, was the one I most looked for to during my time reporting on the club.

The end of the season will also mark the end of an era for one of the club’s best ever backs – Tyson Lewis who has spent the last 14 years at Armthorpe Road.

Lewis, who has helped out with coaching at first-team level as well as the club’s Academy set-up since hanging up his boots, will always be remembered by the Castle Park faithful as the player who scored what is still the quickest ever try in professional rugby.

The speedy winger latched on to a bouncing ball, which the visitors failed to deal with, from a Doncaster kick-off and touched down in the corner after less than eight seconds in a home National League One game over Old Albanians in the 2013-14 season.

As well as being one of the quickest wingers outside the top flight, Lewis, was also a very good defensive player.

* Like other local journalists, I was sorry to see Liam Hoden depart his role as the Club Doncaster media manager. He will be a tough act to follow.

I worked in the same office as Liam, who was with the Free Press, in my final 18 months at The Star. I found him to be a top journalist – his boxing reporting was particularly impressive – and a top man to boot.

Like myself, whose last game covering Rovers was a 3-0 Championship win at Preston North End on Boxing Day 2012, Liam went out on a high, commentating on Rovers’ 3-1 win at Peterborough and interviewing Billy Sharp following his fairytale hat-trick in what was his last game for the club.