Moseley mosey on in
Aug
A brace from Matty Williams in far flung Cornwall wasn’t enough to see Lynn Howells men rack up any points last weekend, but the new look Knights squad back in front of its home crowd will be a different proposition.
Moseley, who finished 2 points and 2 places below the Knights in last seasons RFU Championship , won the first encounter of the 2009/10 season 33-25 in a game featuring a virtuoso kicking display for Tristan Roberts The Fly Half, who now wears the Number 10 jersey for Doncaster slotted over 3 cool penalties and added two conversions to put the game out of the reach of the double salvo of tries from Dougie Flockhart.
In the reverse fixture at Castle Park Doncaster triumphed 14 -3 courtesy of a big team effort and tries from Tonga’uiha and Boyde with both conversions from Warnock. Once again Roberts chipped in with penalty points for Moseley in a season that saw him convert an astounding 55 penalties for a team that ended up in the relegation pool.
Result aside the Knights performance at the Mennaye showed promise. The cutting edge may have been missing first half but as the Armthorpe Rd side warmed to the task Flockhart and Williams challenged the home defence out wide while the hard running style of Makaafi and Cochrane began to prove a thorn in the centre of the Pirates line. While ideas and moves may have broken down in close contact or prematurely ended by lost possession the thought behind the second half rugby was worn on the sleeves of Doncaster.
With competitive game time now in the bag and facing a side that lost their opening home game last Saturday against newly promoted side Esher Doncaster will be looking to put in a performance. Losing 17 -29 at home to a side that spent last season in National Division One will dishearten the Moseley faithful.
The 2.30pm Saturday kick off will see the return of a Doncaster stalwart and a man who never was. Full Back Anthony Carter returns to the Castle after leaving in the summer for pastures new. “Shaggy” was surely one of the most popular figures in recent Knights history and will be welcomed back by fan and player alike. In a bizarre twist Ed Styles, who signed for Doncaster Knights last season on loan from Sale Sharks, could be making his debut at Castle Park playing for the opposition. Styles, who failed to make any more of an appearance at Castle Park than having his photo taken for the website started the game for Moseley last week against Esher.
Kick off is 2.30pm this Saturday, and it is a 12.30pm start for the start of season lunch that is still available to book by calling Chris Elliott on 01302 831388 or by emailing her on celliott@castle-park.co.uk
