Tagutu helps Doncaster Knights stun champions Worcester Warriors
Doncaster Knights’ 36-27 triumph at Castle Park against champions Worcester Warriors, who lost for the first time this season, was thoroughly deserved, and having delivered such a competitive effort, the Knights should be full of confidence as they prepare for Friday evening’s game at Bedford.
Once again, Fijian winger, Penaia Tagutu, who is serving in the British Army, demolished his opponents’ defence, scoring two tries on 22 and 33 minutes, taking his Champ total to 10 in seven league games.
Doncaster are so fortunate to employ a winger of such pace who beats defenders with such devastating results, and once again, Tagutu was given plenty of opportunities to show his class.
This was easily Doncaster’s best display in what’s been a frustrating campaign so far..four defeats and three wins..but this result should bring long term benefits.
In addition to Tagutu’s tries, hooker Ben Sugars also scored in the first half, and then in the second, centre Zach Kerr and skipper and full back, Telusa Veainu, always a threat, scored the fourth and fifth tries in a close contest whose outcome wasn’t decided until just before the end.
As the climax approached, Doncaster led 29-27, but the loss of three consecutive lineouts in Worcester’s 22 handed the ball back to the Warriors, adding to the tension.
However, on 77 minutes, at last they won a lineout, setting up Veainu for the winning try, and with centre Tom Curtis adding his fourth conversion, Doncaster recorded a memorable victory.
Understandably, Director of Rugby Dean Richards, was thrilled:
“The boys played their hearts out. This win has been coming for a while. We should have beaten Coventry and Blackheath, and now we know we can compete with the top teams.
“We showed discipline which we’ve been working on and when you don’t give penalties away, it makes a massive difference.”
Within minutes of toppling Worcester loud celebrations erupted in Doncaster’s changing room. Curtis with 11 points, four conversions and a penalty, played a significant role in the win; in contrast his opposite number, Will Reed, suffered a nightmare, missing four kicks at the posts.
“We knew we had it in us, especially at home,” explained Curtis.
“We are genuinely thrilled. It was a massive challenge, facing a top of the table side that hadn’t lost. But we were confident after a couple of good performances recently, although the results hadn’t gone our way.
“Our pack fronted up against Worcester who are physical in all areas. As regards our set-piece, we asked the pack to rise to the challenge because we were disappointing against Ealing and they worked really hard on that before the match.
“We are trying to play with pace, and we’ve recognised our strengths as a team because we’ve some dangerous outside backs.”
By applying constant pressure on Worcester, Doncaster’s commitment forced the Warriors into making rash errors, resulting in two yellow cards and 14 penalties.
Doncaster’s trip to Bedford on Friday evening sees them taking on a side that’s now fifth with 21 points whereas the Knights are ninth on 15.
Doncaster Knights: Veainu, Rokoduguni, Kerr, Curtis, Tagutu, Wilkinson, Fox (Dolly 65), Mulipola (Ellwood 49), Sugars (Langdon 65), Williams (Hancock 54), Glanville, Hopkinson, Ransom, King, McGuire.
Worcester Warriors: Brown, J.Garside, A.Garside, Taylor, Bassett, Reed (Eden 76), Lane (Williams 49), Keast (Natave 40), Biggs (Wallis 49), Balmain (Challenger 60), Savage, Hawkins (Tyas 58), Anstee, Kvesic (Cherry 58), Chapman (Cripps 49).
Referee: Jonathan Cook.