Doncaster, UK – The Doncaster Knights ended their 2023-24 Championship season on a disappointing note, suffering a heavy defeat in their final match against Hartpury. The 30-point loss marked one of the Knights’ worst performances of the season, a stark contrast to their recent triumph over the league champions, Ealing Trailfinders.
Hartpury’s fly-half, Harry Bazalgette, was the standout player, scoring 23 points with four conversions and five penalties, capitalizing on Doncaster’s lack of discipline. The Knights briefly showed promise when tries from hooker George Roberts and scrum-half Ollie Fox, both converted by fly-half Sam Olver—playing his last game for the club—narrowed the deficit to 24-14. However, they could not maintain the momentum and replicate the high standards set in their previous matches.
Yorkshire’s only full-time professional rugby club concluded the season in sixth place, mirroring their finish in the 2022-23 season. The Knights ended with 11 wins, eight losses, and one draw in their 20 league games, accumulating 57 points. They trailed behind Ealing, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Bedford, and Hartpury in the final standings.
Despite the mixed results, there is a strong optimism for the club’s future. In the coming days, Doncaster Knights will announce several new signings and the departure of some players, aiming to build a stronger squad for next season.
Sir Ian McGeechan, the former British and Irish Lions coach who now serves as an advisor to Knights’ head coach Joe Ford, expressed confidence in the club’s future. “We have made some exciting signings, there are more to come, and there’s a lot to look forward to next season,” McGeechan said.
This sentiment is echoed by full-back Billy McBryde, who departs the club after four seasons to return to RGC in North Wales. “I think Donny has made some handy signings,” McBryde noted. “Budgets in the Premiership are tight, and Championship clubs benefit as Premiership teams offload players. Doncaster have been able to sign some good players.”
Reflecting on the season, McBryde acknowledged the team’s inconsistency. “When we turn it on, we can be so good. We’ve had excellent results, like beating Ealing and winning at Cornish Pirates. But we’ve had poor results, like losing twice to Ampthill and this disappointing end against Hartpury.”
As the Knights prepare for the next chapter under the guidance of Ford and new forwards coach Darren Fearn, the team will take a short break before returning for pre-season training in July. With fresh talent on the horizon and lessons learned from this season, Doncaster Knights are determined to come back stronger next year.
AGAINST all expectations, this result and defeat by almost 30 points in Doncaster’s final Championship match was one of the worst this season.
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