DONCASTER KNIGHTS vs NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

National League One: Sunday, 10^th February, 2008

Doncaster 10 – 36 Saints

MATCH REPORT

The coaches and parents were very welcoming to their Casual guest and my son was soon fully involved, playing scrum half with the level of physical intensity of one who has learnt his trade watching Sharky. The tournament ended with the boys forming a guard of honour for the players to run through, as would be expected the U12 players standing as close to the cheer leaders as they could…

All the pre-match activities meant we could not book a prime spot on the now packed East Terrace and so the initial exchanges were some what of a blur.  We did however have a good view of the opening score after 2 minutes. Carlos kicking a penalty deep into Doncaster territory, the line out won by Matt Lord and Bruce drawing his man to put Ashton in at the corner, with Bruce making a routine touchline conversion for the extra points.      

The game then settled down into a midfield battle with both teams turning the ball over. The excitement was interrupted by the next score, Johnny Howard providing a decoy at the scrum with some handbags, the Doncaster scrum half’s pass eluding his intended target Bryn Griffiths and fell kindly for Jon Clarke. He put out a long pass to Ashton and he was in at the corner for his second.  Bruce again put over the extra points from wide and it was 14 mil after 15 minutes. The East Terrace, or “Little Northampton” as it could be called broke out into a rousing rendition of Wendy and as the sun beat down all was well.  

Doncaster were determined to make a game of it and started to put some phases together.  The Saints defence was well organised and the attacks came to nothing.  It was now time to visit one of the fine food outlets to feed a starving 11 year old and we rejoined the action to see no change to the score.  By this time we had taken up a position next to the Saints bench and our enjoyment of the game was enhanced by over hearing Nobby’s running comments on the match. A Doncaster scrum following knock on at the line out had Nobby commenting “Keep it straight Ref, that’s all we want”. Jon Clarke was looking very lively by this point and another break from him forced the Doncaster players to go over the top. Carlos entertained the crowd as he threatened to switch the kick before kicking deep to the corner.

From the lineout it looked like Clarke was in under the posts only for Los’s pass to Downey to have been adjudged forward. Clarke was denied again a couple of minutes later when he was not able to hold on to the final pass. A Doncaster 22 allowed them to kick long a finally clear their lines, the relief was only temporary as a handling error gave possession back to Saints. Los lit up the crowd with a mazy run that had everyone, including the great man himself guessing which way he would go. The eventual outcome was a routine penalty in front of the posts for Bruce and it was 17 nil.

The next try was not long in coming, and it was Jon Clarke who was again the creator.  The was first to a loose ball and his break set up Bruce, whose grubber kick fell perfectly for Ashton to claim his hat trick under the posts. Bruce put over the extras and it was 24 nil after 38 mins and Chris Ashton was rapidly closing in on a new Division 1 try scoring record.

From the restart Doncaster were then finally able to built up some pressure on the Saints line. Dylan was sent to the sin bin for an outbreak of “Dylan ness”, Doncaster kicked the penalty to the corner and from a well worked line out drove Bryn Griffiths over the line. Mark Woodrow was not able to put over the extras and at half time it was 24:5.

We were only just returning from watching the half time tournament finals when it was 24:10 and game on. A Doncaster break down the right had winger Bailey rounding Digger and kicking deep. The ball was recycled, spun left and a lovely long pass sent Justin Bishop over the line. Mark Woodrow, who does not seem to enjoy kicking against Saints, again missing the extra points.

Roy Castle told us you need dedication to be a record breaker; however Chris Ashton has shown us that blinding pace helps as well. Doncaster cleared to the restart from to touch and from the line out Bruce made a trade mark break before setting up Ashton to cross for his fourth of the day and a record 29th of the season. Bruce slotted the extras and at 31:10 the game was looking over as a contest.

Doncaster however then set up camp on the Saints 5 m line and started to pick and drive towards the line. The Saints defence was resolute and eventually forced the turn over and the scrum.

Nobby was as encouraging as ever the shout of “Get up Alex” ringing out as Rae was slow to regain his feat after emerging from the bottom of a pile up. The bench started to get in on the action as with 20 minutes left Tiny cam on for Wee Tam.

By this time the game was really opening out with both teams spreading the ball wide at every opportunity. It was Saints who were to be the eventual beneficiaries as a fantastic Ashton kick and re-gather sucked in almost all the Doncaster cover. The ball was worked back to Los who chipped for the corner where the 2nd row union was lurking. Rae gathered the ball and fed the try machine that is Matt Lord. This time Bruce missed the conversion and the score read 31:10.

With the game over the bench saw more action, Myler, Starling, Shields and Short replacing Los, Downey, Stewart and Rae. Los and Downey having ice attached to calf muscles, the Bear deciding not to apply the ice to whatever part of his body was aching.

Johnny Howard had time for some more gentle sparing, this time egging the big boys on the finish what his line in banter had started, before being replaced by Sharky on 71 minutes. Nobby’s comments became more amusing, with one conversion with Digger sounding like a teacher addressing his wayward pupil; “Digger, what was happening with that defence line” “I tried to tell them but they would not listen”.

The last 20 minutes mainly remarkable for the number of chances Saints spurned as they took the foot of the gas. A line out in side the Doncaster 22 was lost, drawing a response from Nobby that cannot be repeated on a family web site. A fine break from Myler was not converted when the final man opted for contact rather then passing, from his right hand to one of the players waiting on his left.

From a scrum on half way Saints drove Doncaster back a good 10 yards before being awarded a penalty as the Doncaster scrum collapsed. The ball was kicked deep and from the line out Neil Starling demonstrated what Nobby described as  the “Starlo Shuffle”  before giving away a penalty for hanging on. Another opportunity went begging as from another attacking penalty Saints opted from the scrum than lost the ball against the head. Again I fear I cannot repeat Nobby’s comments.

And so that was pretty much that. The ref, who I thought had a fine game, blew for time and it was another 5 points in the bag.

We went way from Castle Park with many happy memories. A friendly and accommodating club, a great relaxed atmosphere with the sort of freedom to wander that is not available at the Gardens and an enjoyable 80 minutes of rugby. Plus it only took me 5 minutes to get out of the ground. Result!

Photos Courtesy Claire Jones and Will Percy

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