Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 17, 2017 11:49:59 GMT
Our initial foray into the British & Irish Cup 2017/18 saw the Knights defeated by a young, well-drilled Leinster A side 17-41. The Knights lost by five tries to three and must now head to Ashton Gate next Sunday to face the unbeaten league leaders Bristol.
The Cardiff Blues Premiership Select were also easily beaten by Bristol 7-31 in the other match in Pool Two. Both Leinster A and Bristol beat their opponents by 24 points but the Knights scored three tries to Cardiff’s single try, so is Bristol’s defence better than Leinster A’s or is the Knights’ attack better than Cardiff’s? Both the Knights and the Blues conceded five tries. Bristol’s were scored by debutant Bristol Academy Wing Aaron Chapman (2), Centre and ex-Knight Will Hurrell, Academy Scrum-Half Andy Uren and Academy Centre James Newey. The first four were scored before half-time oranges. The Knights need no warning of how dangerous Will Hurrell can be but nineteen year-old Chapman certainly knows where the try-line is.
As Clive said in the Star on 16th October, ““They (Leinster A) were too good for us and the best team won on the day,” ...
“They are a good side, probably the best we’ve played this season, and they are well coached.”
Griffiths found it hard to come up with any positives when reflecting on Knights’ performance: “We made the same sort of errors we made in the league defeat at Hartbury and there’s a lot of work to be done ahead of our second pool game at Bristol,” he said.
“My biggest concern in injuries. We only had nine backs to chose from due to injuries and suspension and it looks like we’ve picked up another couple today.
“Obviously back-to-back defeats is disappointing and not something that we are used to but you have to take the rough with the smooth.
“You take the plaudits when you are playing well and take the criticism when you are not and we aren’t at the moment.””
There was an article in the Bristol Post on 19/11/17 entitled “Bristol Rugby to use British and Irish Cup and A league to offer fringe players a chance to shine.” In the article DoR Pat Lam states the Championship is their priority. This statement and article shouldn’t be seen as a ray of hope for playing a weaker Bristol team. Bristol has very deep pockets and their academy players would probably be regular first team players in other clubs. So perhaps the team playing is more dangerous as the fringe players attempt to demonstrate how good they are in an attempt to gain a regular first team place.
The Knights need to right some of the wrongs over the last two games and perform like they know they can.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
The Cardiff Blues Premiership Select were also easily beaten by Bristol 7-31 in the other match in Pool Two. Both Leinster A and Bristol beat their opponents by 24 points but the Knights scored three tries to Cardiff’s single try, so is Bristol’s defence better than Leinster A’s or is the Knights’ attack better than Cardiff’s? Both the Knights and the Blues conceded five tries. Bristol’s were scored by debutant Bristol Academy Wing Aaron Chapman (2), Centre and ex-Knight Will Hurrell, Academy Scrum-Half Andy Uren and Academy Centre James Newey. The first four were scored before half-time oranges. The Knights need no warning of how dangerous Will Hurrell can be but nineteen year-old Chapman certainly knows where the try-line is.
As Clive said in the Star on 16th October, ““They (Leinster A) were too good for us and the best team won on the day,” ...
“They are a good side, probably the best we’ve played this season, and they are well coached.”
Griffiths found it hard to come up with any positives when reflecting on Knights’ performance: “We made the same sort of errors we made in the league defeat at Hartbury and there’s a lot of work to be done ahead of our second pool game at Bristol,” he said.
“My biggest concern in injuries. We only had nine backs to chose from due to injuries and suspension and it looks like we’ve picked up another couple today.
“Obviously back-to-back defeats is disappointing and not something that we are used to but you have to take the rough with the smooth.
“You take the plaudits when you are playing well and take the criticism when you are not and we aren’t at the moment.””
There was an article in the Bristol Post on 19/11/17 entitled “Bristol Rugby to use British and Irish Cup and A league to offer fringe players a chance to shine.” In the article DoR Pat Lam states the Championship is their priority. This statement and article shouldn’t be seen as a ray of hope for playing a weaker Bristol team. Bristol has very deep pockets and their academy players would probably be regular first team players in other clubs. So perhaps the team playing is more dangerous as the fringe players attempt to demonstrate how good they are in an attempt to gain a regular first team place.
The Knights need to right some of the wrongs over the last two games and perform like they know they can.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
