Doncaster Knights 31 Richmond 10

After a promising first half, which ended with a battling Richmond side 7-10 ahead, Doncaster took control of the second half and eventually added four more tries for a 31-10 victory. If the idea of a long distance Friday evening kick off was not testing enough, Richmond were hardly helped by a travel breakdown which put the kick off back by half an hour and then cost them a late change in the warm up.

However, a full time Doncaster side had faced the same Friday night journey in December, albeit without the delay, so Richmond had to make the most of another big Championship challenge. Richmond fielded a side little changed from the previous week when they provided a stern contest against another fully professional side, Worcester.

Doncaster have announced that they are switching from fully pro to a hybrid squad next season. This year has been erratic for them, given their playing resources. After this game they stand ninth, which must be disappointing overall, given the experience and quality in their ranks. However, they remain a formidable side at home.

With both Richmond and London Scottish failing to get a point and eleventh placed Caldy getting four, it is now certain that the two auld enemies will play off against each other in the first round of the relegation battle. The losers of that game will play the second or third team in National One after they in turn play off against each other. But first, there are three more Champ league games to conclude, including a ‘warm up’ against the Scots.

The Doncaster game finally kicked off at 8pm and, within eight minutes, the Knights were in the lead. Rotherham born fly half Morgan Bunting, who spent three seasons at Nottingham, was the provider, offloading to ex Leicester Tiger Jordan Olowofela. The winger had more than enough pace to complete the move in the left hand corner. Alex Dolly, nearing his 100th cap, added the conversion.

The Knights soon showed their strengths, a big pack with a very effective maul and a pair of half backs keen to get the ball out wide, where Olowofela and ex Bath winger Semesa Rokudugoni lurked. Richmond were well organised in defence and forced handling errors with their heavy tackling. In the centre Lima Savaiinaea’s consistently made good yards, pulling in defenders and creating space for the outside backs. However, the Knights were very disciplined in steadily pushing the Richmond line back.

After fourteen minutes, Richmond had their first visit to the Doncaster 22. Savainnaea bumped off a defender or two but, at the critical moment, the Knights stole possession and cleared.

Richmond conceded another penalty for offside, and Bunting kicked deep to Greg Kitson. The full back appeared to have limited options but set off on a long and mazy diagonal run, weaving past defenders and finally finding support from Paul Atlier on the Doncaster 22. This time Richmond kept possession, with Jared Cardew providing a helpful second burst. Freddie Clarke was held up close to the line but Richmond had penalty advantage. They used a quick tap and go and Will Goffey got the touchdown, with Callum Grieve adding the conversion to level the scores.

Richmond now had the best of the territorial battle. Doncaster were edging the battle in the tight but conceding possession with regular handling errors. With Kitson still full of running, Richmond had chances, but Doncaster were very skilful at the breakdown, stealing possession. In the final minute of the half, Richmond had another chance and this time opted for a long kick at goal. Grieve succeeded from around 45 metres to give his side a 7-10 lead.

The lead was to last just four minutes as Richmond conceded the first of eight second half penalties. Fly half Bunting was again the instigator, this time drifting effortlessly through a defensive gap to send flanker Josh Bainbridge clear. Dolly’s conversion took the score to 14-10. More penalties cost Richmond dear as the Doncaster pack set up their hefty maul seven metres out. When the maul collapsed, ex Tigers full back Telusa Veainu drew in defenders before passing out to an unmarked Rokudugoni, clear in the corner.

Skipper Dolly set up the fourth try with a quick tap and go, finding Welsh centre Connor Edwards in support and free to run to the posts for a memorable try on his 100th club game. For Richmond possession was scarce and, on their few visits to the opposition 22, they were turned over too many times. Savaiinaea and Sam Pim were prominent, whilst Chid Obonna and Kitson showed what might have been with some quicker ball.

The Knights got the final try in the 72nd minute when they set up five metres out after more penalties. The Richmond defence were steadily drawn in and Rokudugoni had an easy amble to the line for his second try.

Team: G.Kitson, C.Obonna, P.Case, T.Savaiinaea, P.Altier, C.Grieve, F.Charles, T.Bevacqua, W.Goffey, J.Litchfield, J. F.Hosking, G.Nugent, J.Cardew, A.Hastings, S.Pim
Subs C.Torpey, C.Freeman, L.Spring, D.Ormerod, CGallen, J.Baggott, R.Du Randt,

Tries: Goffey
Conversion: Grieve