Doncaster Knights boss hails 'vintage' display against Jersey

“We dominated the game,” enthused Griffiths, who has found himself under fire from a section of supporters this season.

“If we play like that for the rest of the season we could end up in the top four because not many teams will come down here and be able to touch us.

“There was some real fire in the forwards and the back-row, including Joe Sproston when he came on, were outstanding. The two new recruits both have massive engines and they just kept on going.

“Matt Smith has been sick all week and didn’t train Thursday or Friday and we thought he would miss out.

“But he wanted to play – which reflected the spirit within the club – and I asked him to give 15 minutes or so but he played for over an hour.

“Everybody came to the party.

“A lot of people hadn’t been at their best (in recent games) and that was the challenge we set for them before the game.

“It was time for them to walk the walk and they did that.

“We got the selection right, though we lost Howard Packman in the warm-up, and we got the tactics right and the players got their game right.

“It was vintage Knights,” he added.

“It was what we know the boys can do. It was an outstanding performance.

“That lifted the crowd who were fantastic and they really got behind the team.”

Welsh wing Kyle Evans, whose hopes of making an immediate impact after joining the club during the summer were dashed when he needed a hernia operation, scored three of the Doncaster tries.

“That’s what he can do,” said Griffiths. “He was outstanding as was (young) scrum-half Sam Pocklington. He’s developing all the time.”

The game marked the 250th appearance for the club of second-rower Matt Challinor – the first Doncaster player to achieve the feat in the professional era.

“He’s been an example to us all and who is to say he won’t get to the magical 300 mark?” said Griffiths.