Spirited Doncaster Knights take encouragement from Saracens defeat

Knights' Jack Davies celebrates the penalty try against Saracens. Photo: Henry Browne/Getty Images

However, Steve Boden’s new-look side could take plenty of encouragement from a spirited display against their illustrious opponents.

Sarries were restricted to 12 first half points as Knights put the Londoners under pressure during the opening exchanges and went ahead through Billy McBryde’s penalty.

Rotimi Segun and Tom Woolstencroft touched down for Saracens in the first half before Duncan Taylor added a third try.

Doncaster continued to show of plenty of ambition after the restart and were rewarded when they scored a penalty try just after the hour mark to narrow the deficit.

Late tries from Tim Swinson and Kapeli Pifeleti added some late gloss for the hosts.

Knights travel to Ealing Trailfinders next weekend in their final Challenge Cup warm-up match before their opening Championship game at Ampthill on the weekend of March 6.