Doncaster Knights show fight in cup defeat to Newcastle Falcons

​The Premiership promotion hopefuls trailed 28-0 to their top-flight hosts at half-time at Kingston Park and looked dead and buried.

But Joe Ford’s side staged a courageous fightback, scoring second half tries through Euan McVie and Tom Currie, with two Russell Bennett conversions halving the deficit.

Even when Newcastle kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 31-14, Doncaster carried on fighting, Connor Edwards and George Roberts scoring converted tries to pull them to within three points but the Premiership strugglers ultimately held on for a 31-28 win.

Doncaster had been forced to replace Jordan Olowofela with Maliq Holden because of illness before kick-off.

Knights had pushed Sale Sharks hard in a 43-37 away defeat the previous week but have now lost both of their Pool A matches as part of a four-game losing run.

They travel to Caldy in the cup next on Saturday, November 23.