Doncaster Knights top British and Irish Cup Pool 5

Doncaster Knights sit top of Pool Five at the midway point of the B&I Cup group stages.
Doncaster Knights' Sam Edgerley tries to get past Barney Nightingale. Photo: Sarah WashbournDoncaster Knights' Sam Edgerley tries to get past Barney Nightingale. Photo: Sarah Washbourn
Doncaster Knights' Sam Edgerley tries to get past Barney Nightingale. Photo: Sarah Washbourn

Last season’s beaten finalists exchanged places with unbeaten leaders Newport Gwent Dragons Premier Select after recording a 21-16 win over the Welsh side at Castle Park.

Even allowing for the fact that Knights rested the odd back and several forwards, they had to work harder than many people expected to extend their unbeaten run in the competition to three games.

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Knights struggled to get out of their own half in worsening conditions in the last ten minutes or so as Dragons sensed an unlikely victory.

“They made it hard for us at times and I was very worried in the last ten minutes or so,” said forwards’ coach Glen Kenworthy.

But having said that we should have put the game to bed before half-time. In addition to the two tries we scored we had some other scoring opportunities in the first half and I don’t think the 18-10 scoreline reflected the game.

“We were disappointed with how we played because we knew what sort of game we were in for and we’d worked on things in midweek.

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“But overall we are happy with where we are in the competition and in the league.”

Back-rower Alex Shaw limped off in the second half but expects to be fit for the return this weekend.

Dragons’ boss James Chapron said: “To be fair to Doncaster they took us apart a bit in the first half and that’s something we need to work on for the return this Saurday.”