Doncaster Knights: Jersey clash is must-win, admits Clive Griffiths

Clive Griffiths is looking for the cream to rise to the top in Saturday’s Championship clash against Jersey at Castle Park.
Clive Griffiths, left.Clive Griffiths, left.
Clive Griffiths, left.

Knights’ director of rugby is hoping the match-winners within his side can turn on the style and help steer Knights to their first league win in eight games.

“It’s a must-win game for us,” admitted Griffiths, whose charges suffered a last-minute 35-29 defeat at Bedford on Saturday.

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With bottom club Plymouth Albion beating Mosley at the weekend the gap between the two clubs is now down to eight points.

But the Devon club need to raise £250,000 to avoid going into administration which would result in an immediate 20-point reduction.

“If that were to happen then obviously we’d be safe from relegation but I don’t want any club to go under,” said the Welshman.

“I’d prefer us to stay up as a result of our own efforts.”

With the situation at Brickfields out of his hands, Griffiths and his coaching staff are concentrating on preparing their charges for the return against the Channel Islanders.

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Having won 23-17 in Jersey back in September, Knights will fancy their chances of recording their first double of the season before taking a break from league action the following week to take on Leinster A in the British & Irish Cup quarter-finals.

Griffiths, however, is taking nothing for granted and will not do so until his side show that they can close a game out when leading late on.

“It’s something we’ve not been doing,” he said.

“It’s going to be another big game on Saturday and we need our great supporters to turn out in their numbers and get behind the team and be our 16th man.

“We need all the help we can get at the moment. Maybe one of the defining moments will go our way for a change.

“We’ll certainly not be under-estimating Jersey.

“They’ve got a big pack so we’ll have to play well to win the battle up front.”