London Scottish 14 Doncaster knights 48: Eight-try Knights tighten grip on third place

Knights posted eight tries as they justified Clive Griffiths’ decision to field an unchanged starting line-up as they took their points tally from two visits to the Athletic Ground, which Scottish share with Richmond, to 105.

Knights’ fourth successive away win effectively put paid to Exiles outside play-off hopes, and sets them up nicely for their testing run-in.

Although Knights went close to an early try by Canadian international Aaron Carpenter, the Exiles enjoyed the better of the exchanges.Centre Ross Neal was held up over the line after latching on to a favourable bounce before No 8 Danny Kenny touched down from close range for a converted try.

Knights were fortunate not to fall further behind when Peter Lydon fired wide with a penalty attempt.

What could have been 10-0 became 7-5 on 26 minutes when some enterprising play from turnover ball in their own 22, ended with centre Andy Bulumakau sending wing Tyson Lewis racing over from his own half.

Buoyed by the try, Knights started to stamp their authority on the game and wing Dougie Flockhart touched down for a second converted try on the half-hour after several phases of attacking play.

Knights continued to look dangerous with ball in hand and wasted little time in cashing in on their advantage after Scottish had a man sin-binned with long-serving second-rower Matt Challinor – who had gone close earlier in the half - crashing over from a long lineout throw to secure his side a 15-7 interval lead.

The visitors carried on from where they had left off at the start of the second half with fly-half Simon Humberstone - twice involved in the move he started when going blind from a scrum – sending over the supporting Jack Ram.

Flockhart, who had been troubled by the wind in the first half, added the extras to put Knights into a commanding 22-7 lead.

The Exiles looked like making a fight of it following an immediate reply .

But Knights regained their 15-point advantage on 51 minutes when hooker Ben Hunter crossed from close range following more good work by the forwards. Flockhart again added the extras.

And it got better for the Castle Park club with Ram picking up a second converted try from a driving maul.

Flockhart also picked up a second try, to make it 41-14 on 66 minutes, following good work by centre Lloyd Hayes and Hunter in the build-up. A long-range converted try by full-back Paul Jarvis, following good work by replacements Joe Sprotson and Sam Edgerley, at the death put the cherry on the cake.

Doncaster Knights: Jarvis, Flockhart, Bulumakau, Hayes, Lewis, Humberstone, Heaney; List, Hunter, Quigley, Challinor, Young, Ram. Hills. Carpenter. Rep: Meunargia, Bergmanas, Sprotson, Maksymiw, Shaw, Edgerley, Cusack.