The Doncaster Knights got a bonus-point win against the Cornish Pirates in a feisty final home game.
The Knights won 22-15. They scored all four of their tries in the first half, and were then forced to defend their lead despite a comeback from their opposition.The first try was scored by George Edgson after a driving maul. Lock John Kelly scored the second. Thom Smith scored the third try after short repeated phases and Edgson took his second try before the closing of the first half.
Fly-half Sam Olver had a tough day on the tee as he was only able to convert one of the Knight’s tries. There was a humorous moment in the game after his first successful kick of the day, as Olver good-naturedly turned to the main stand and gave a laugh and a shrug, in acknowledgement of his misfortune in regards to conversions.
𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙮! ⚔️
That feeling when you realise it’s the last Knights home league game of the season. pic.twitter.com/ED8RylSh9o
— Doncaster Knights 🏉 (@DoncasterKnight) March 12, 2022
The Pirates received many penalties and two yellow cards in as many minutes. They scored two tries, the first came after they moved the ball quickly off their rolling maul to send Matt Bolwell over, with the score converted by Arwell Robson.
Their second was scored in the second half. The Knights seemed to be expecting a rolling maul off the lineout, but the Pirates popped the ball out quickly to Josh Caulfield, allowing the forward to bound over. The try was not converted.
𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙎𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨 📸
Some of our favourite moments from yesterday’s bonus point win in the spring sunshine at Castle Park. pic.twitter.com/MX2EPgSlvQ
— Doncaster Knights 🏉 (@DoncasterKnight) March 13, 2022
Tempers flared and the two teams had to be separated from one another on a few occasions. Firstly, on the half-time marker before the knights scored their fourth try, and also in the second half after Knights player Maliq Holden received an ankle tap which knocked him to the ground, and resulted in him leaving the pitch.
The confrontation and shoving, which came after Maliq’s injury, resulted in the referee overturning a penalty which would have gone to Pirates.
It was a tense affair at the end of the game as the Knights were forced to defend on their line in extra-time. However, penalties got the better of the Pirates, who were unable to capitalise on the opportunity presented to them.
The Knights are still top of the league.
