Post by Jamie Crawford on Mar 21, 2023 18:06:08 GMT
Coventry preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Doncaster Knights v Coventry rugby, Castle Park, 25th March, 2.30pm KO
Round 17 for both teams,
Round 18 for eight teams.
The Knights have yet to win a game since league action recommenced after losing 49-25 to the Blues in Bedford and then 31-12 a fortnight later at Ampthill. The home fixture against Jersey Reds was postponed by the weather. Some would say that the necessarily early decision due to the Reds having to fly over from Jersey was premature. The forecast was for -6 overnight on Friday and then poor on Saturday, it turned out to be a lovely sunny day after a much milder night than was forecast. Damned if you cancel and the weather improves (as it did), potentially damned if you don't and the weather worsens!
Third placed Cov scored eight tries against then eighth placed Caldy (now ninth), four of which were converted in their 48-19 landslide Win.
Over the 17 games played, Cov have scored 95 more points (5.5/game) and conceded 23 fewer points than the Knights. Of those points Cov have scored 20 more tries and conceded just one try fewer.
Cov have scored the fifth highest number of points away from home and conceded the third fewest points away. They have scored twice as many try bonus points as the Knights with 12 scored versus 6. They are also the fourth best travellers with four wins, the Knights have the equal fifth strongest fortress after conceding six games.
Cov Fly Half Patrick Pellegrini is the third best points-scorer in the Championship and Centre William Rigg is the equal-fifth top try-scorer.
The Knights will want to avenge their 47-7 L to Cov last December at Butts Park Arena and show home supporters some good form that has been lacking recently away. The Doncaster RFC website review of the game entitled it, “Uninspiring Afternoon at Dillingham Park Sees Knights’ Away Struggles Continue”. It was a game that saw Ampthill score five tries and the Knights receive three yellow cards.
Apparently Bodes (Doncaster Director of Rugby Steve Boden) was not happy with the player’s apparent lack of desire and poor work rate. A major improvement in form is required to play the third best team in the Championship when the Knights have dropped to the top of the lower half of the table (7th).
Championship games this weekend
Friday 24th
Hartpury (6) v Ampthill (8)
Saturday 25th
Richmond (11) v Jersey Reds (2)
Doncaster (7) v Coventry (3)
Caldy (9) v London Scottish (12)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Cornish Pirates (5)
Sunday 26th
Nottingham (10) v Bedford Blues (4)
Added Wed 22nd -
A Knight W could see them rise to fifth if the Pirates (5) and Hartpury (6) lose to Ealing Trailfinders (1) and Ampthill (8) respectively (I believe).
A Knight L would see them drop a place to eighth if Ampthill (8) beat Hartpury (6).
The Hartpury (6) v Ampthill (8) result could affect the Knights’ league position. All they can do is concentrate on the W then they might rise but they can’t get lower. The game is played on Friday, so the Knights will know an outcome if they win or lose (or draw).
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Doncaster Knights v Coventry rugby, Castle Park, 25th March, 2.30pm KO
Round 17 for both teams,
Round 18 for eight teams.
The Knights have yet to win a game since league action recommenced after losing 49-25 to the Blues in Bedford and then 31-12 a fortnight later at Ampthill. The home fixture against Jersey Reds was postponed by the weather. Some would say that the necessarily early decision due to the Reds having to fly over from Jersey was premature. The forecast was for -6 overnight on Friday and then poor on Saturday, it turned out to be a lovely sunny day after a much milder night than was forecast. Damned if you cancel and the weather improves (as it did), potentially damned if you don't and the weather worsens!
Third placed Cov scored eight tries against then eighth placed Caldy (now ninth), four of which were converted in their 48-19 landslide Win.
Over the 17 games played, Cov have scored 95 more points (5.5/game) and conceded 23 fewer points than the Knights. Of those points Cov have scored 20 more tries and conceded just one try fewer.
Cov have scored the fifth highest number of points away from home and conceded the third fewest points away. They have scored twice as many try bonus points as the Knights with 12 scored versus 6. They are also the fourth best travellers with four wins, the Knights have the equal fifth strongest fortress after conceding six games.
Cov Fly Half Patrick Pellegrini is the third best points-scorer in the Championship and Centre William Rigg is the equal-fifth top try-scorer.
The Knights will want to avenge their 47-7 L to Cov last December at Butts Park Arena and show home supporters some good form that has been lacking recently away. The Doncaster RFC website review of the game entitled it, “Uninspiring Afternoon at Dillingham Park Sees Knights’ Away Struggles Continue”. It was a game that saw Ampthill score five tries and the Knights receive three yellow cards.
Apparently Bodes (Doncaster Director of Rugby Steve Boden) was not happy with the player’s apparent lack of desire and poor work rate. A major improvement in form is required to play the third best team in the Championship when the Knights have dropped to the top of the lower half of the table (7th).
Championship games this weekend
Friday 24th
Hartpury (6) v Ampthill (8)
Saturday 25th
Richmond (11) v Jersey Reds (2)
Doncaster (7) v Coventry (3)
Caldy (9) v London Scottish (12)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Cornish Pirates (5)
Sunday 26th
Nottingham (10) v Bedford Blues (4)
Added Wed 22nd -
A Knight W could see them rise to fifth if the Pirates (5) and Hartpury (6) lose to Ealing Trailfinders (1) and Ampthill (8) respectively (I believe).
A Knight L would see them drop a place to eighth if Ampthill (8) beat Hartpury (6).
The Hartpury (6) v Ampthill (8) result could affect the Knights’ league position. All they can do is concentrate on the W then they might rise but they can’t get lower. The game is played on Friday, so the Knights will know an outcome if they win or lose (or draw).
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
