Doncaster Defeat

RGC Head Coach knows where his side need to improve on after seeing his side lose to English Championship side Doncaster Knights.

“I thought for 50 minutes we completed well and in the 1^st half our speed and physicality were good but I think it showed where we are with our strength and depth compared to the experience of Doncaster.

We brought on a number of players who were last year's U18s and they will learn from this experience.  Being exposed to a side that has that speed in both attack and defence will benefit them.  You could see the difference in that physicality and size at the end of the game, with our average age around 21.

I knew this was going to be a tough test, but it’s a test we need, and we know what we need to work on and where we need to improve as we build towards the Cardiff opener in the league come September”

The visitors built some pressure early on, as they tested the RGC defence.  The pace of the game didn’t really pick up, but the RGC coaching staff would have been happy with the pack as it held firm under pressure.  Former RGC players George Roberts and Billy McBryde started for the Knights.

When the game was open, it was quick with Rhys Tudor getting hold of a loose ball and making some big yards.

It was Doncaster that scored first when full-back Cant broke down the wing to touchdown. The conversion was successful by Dolly.

The game sparked into action when Doncaster Edwards was sent off after a dangerous tackle on Dan Owen.

Minutes later RGC capitalised on the extra man when Delwyn Jones grabbed the try and a Sam Earl-Jones conversion levelled the scores.

It was end to end, with some errors by both teams but the space was opening up but no one could take advantage.

Doncaster finished the half with the lead when the pack powered over and the try was awarded.

The game was a scrappy one, with the referees whistle getting most of the action, with scrums and penalties dominating the proceedings.

With the visitors having a man less, RGC weren’t seeing the advantage either in possession or territory.

The game was a feisty one, with another scuffle breaking out which stopped play again for a couple of minutes.

Doncaster again showed the power in the pack as they drove to the RGC line and went over for another try, this time from Davidson.

It was the visitors that found the space and moved the ball quickly with Fox running down the short side from the scrum to grab another try.

Minutes later Parkin went in for another score, and Olver converted.

RGC were pretty much camped in their own half and a cross-field kick found the hands of Tait who collected and made touchdown in the corner.

The speed and physicality in the attacking running from the visitors could clearly be seen and the young RGC side were struggling to contain them.

RGC were unable to keep the visitors from making those good yards, and again they went over with a couple of short passes and straight runners, with Olver making it a 41-7 final score.