Bearing in mind the problems we had last summer when we lost our director of rugby Clive Griffiths to Premiership club Worcester, and did not sign fellow Welshmen Lynn Howells until the start of the season, I supposed you could say that we did well.

The biggest lesson we know we have to learn is to reduce dramatically the number of sin binnings we had - 26 - the second highest in the league. To have to play with only 14 men for part of almost every game is asking a lot of any team and it is a problem we have to tackle next season.

Last Saturday was a classic example. We were at home to Exeter (who were second) and we were winning 17 points to 10 with 25 minutes to go and we had the wind at our backs.

We then we lost a player to a yellow card and Exeter went from being under the cosh as our pack was gradually playing them out of the game (even the Exeter reporter said so in his article) to suddenly finding themselves in with a chance.

They scored whilst we were a man short and then it was game on but , try as we may, we could not get back in the match and we just lost to a late penalty and a disputed try.

I don't like being critical of referees but the guy we had last Saturday seemed to be referring us on our perceived reputation. He most certainly did not referee the game as it took place in front of him!

Last Friday evening our Under 12s to Under 17s held their Presentation Evening at Castle Park and some 350 youngsters and adults enjoyed the usual excellent food for which our kitchen is widely recognised.

Various awards were made to players in each age group and each team captain made a speech – the speech by our Under 12s captain, in particular, was excellent.

1st XV players Luke Gross (our American international) and Simon Grainger (the "Mad Dog") were there along with Lynn Howells.

Then, last Sunday, our Under 7s to Under11s had their day when over 200 youngsters and adults attended Castle Park.

First team players Ngalu Ta'u and Lisiate Fa'aoso (two of our Tongan internationals) and Justin Bishop (our Irish international) went along to meet the youngsters and their parents and to present trophies.

Sunday was a proud day for Doncaster Knights, as Donny the White Knight defeated all challengers at the Wetherby Gold Cup for Club Mascots to come away with Knight's first silverware of the season.

Sunday the 27th will be a day to live long in the tales of conquest, as Donny entered the parade thing as the third mascot in but hung on to be the last Mascot standing.

After disappointment in the earlier race, due to a controversial handicap rated on boot size, Donny managed to be the last mascot standing to claim the Cup for the best mascot.

It being White Knight's first visit to the Gold Cup competition, and being up against some seasoned mascot campaigners, made the victory all the more impressive.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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