Doncaster Knights plan repeat of last season’s success at unbeaten Ealing Trailfinders

Last Friday the Knights welcomed Chinnor and lost 21-24 in a hard-fought battle. Many supporters were disappointed by the Knights’ performance, aimless kicking that gave the ball away without a significant gain in territory or when we had better options available seemed to be the generally accepted opinion. The Knights look more dangerous in attack when they keep the ball in hand. Hopefully lessons learnt for when we play the best team in the Champ, top-placed and unbeaten Ealing Trailfinders. Seven Knights are currently injured, thinking optimistically that issue can be managed, for example through adaptations in play.

Ealing Trailfinders on the other hand taught Ampthill a stern lesson when they thrashed them 0-71 at Dillingham Park, Ampthill. They scored 11 tries, 8 of which were converted. Trailfinders’ two highest try-scorers this season are both hookers, which would indicate a hooker diving for the tryline from behind a set piece.

Google AI lists Trailfinders strengths on the pitch as a powerful forward pack, an effective driving maul and a potent attacking backline. More specifically a dominant set piece, especially their driving maul. The forward pack, featuring players like Conor Oliver, Jordy Reid, and Mike Willemse, excels in physical carries and breakdown technique, making them hard to beat and enabling quick go-forward ball, essentially physicality in the pack, which the Knights can equal.

Ealing possesses an exciting and fast backline with players like Tobi Wilson, Angus Kernohan, and Jordan Holgate who can finish off flowing moves, execute chip and chases, and exploit space with speed and skill.The Knights have a great back line and World class back three (when not injured) that can more than match Trailfinders’ prowess in this aspect of the game.

Trailfinders are well-organised defensively, focusing on cutting down opposition space, communicating effectively, and executing strong tackles. This defensive solidity is a core part of their game model.The Knights have demonstrated this effective communication and strong tackling but not consistently yet.

Trailfinders have shown a weakness (if they have any!) against a strong team. They are so used to being the dominant team on the pitch, they have demonstrated vulnerabilities against stronger opposition. Again, the Knights need to play great basic rugby and not give possession away. The old saying that the opposition can’t score if they haven’t got the ball seems highly appropriate.

Handling errors have been an issue in the past, so the Knights must pressure the player being passed to distract his attention and hopefully lead to a knock-on. Finally, Trailfinders have demonstrated a few (not many) weaknesses against the set piece, so the Knights should try to use plays such as a driving maul, a hooker dashing from behind a set piece and a quick tap penalty close to the line to score tries.

The Knights know that they can beat Ealing and Trailfinders will be wary after the Knights did the double over Trailfinders last season, beating them away then at home.

As a team Ealing Trailfinders have scored the most points and tries this season, they have also conceded the fewest points and tries. The Knights have scored the ninth most points and conceded the sixth fewest. They have scored the ninth most tries and conceded the sixth fewest number of tries. BUT stats are there to be broken and in Russell Bennett we have the highest points-scorer in the Champ.

Trailfinders’ hooker Scott Buckley is the Champ’s fourth top try-scorer, hooker Matt Cornish has only scored 1 try fewer.

Friday 14th November

Bedford Blues (3) v Caldy (4)

Chinnor (8) v London Scottish (13)

Richmond (12) v Hartpury RFC (7)

Saturday 15th November

Cornish Pirates (6) v Cambridge (14)

Coventry (10) v Ampthill (11)

Worcester Warriors (2) v Nottingham (5)

A Knights win would see them rise one place to 8th if Chinnor lose to London Scottish but the Scottish exiles have only beaten yet-to-win Cambridge over 6 games played this season.

A Knights loss could see us drop 3 places to 12th if Coventry, Ampthill and Richmond all win. Cov are playing Ampthill so one is likely to lose; a draw would only see Cov leapfrog us. Obviously if one team wins, the other team loses, we could only drop to 11th.

Doncaster Knights’ hooker George Roberts (pictured) became a centurion last week after the game against Chinnor was his 100th appearance as a Knight.

COYK

DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…