Backward step for Doncaster Knights at Ampthill

The leadership team of head coach Joe Ford and consultant director of rugby Sir Ian McGeechan has stabilised Doncaster Knights after a rough period which saw Steve Boden quit as head man two months ago.

They have overseen a consistent run of form which had seen two wins and a draw in their previous three games to put the Knights fifth, still harbouring hopes of being able to claim a top three finish in the RFU Championship.

But against a team that has won their last two meetings, Doncaster suffered a worrying second half collapse on Saturday.

This was despite Russell Bennett scoring three penalties in the first half to give the Knights a 9-0 lead.

By the interval they trailed 14-9 to two converted tries and from there Doncaster imploded.

They conceded five tries in the last 20 minutes all while Ampthill had a player in the sin-bin.