Hartpury preview

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Hartpury preview Feb 14, 2018 15:04:45 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 14, 2018 15:04:45 GMT

Hartpury preview

Round 16

The Knights enjoy their second consecutive home game eager to put on a more forceful display. ‘A win is a win’ and the Scottish exiles deserved a losing bonus point last Saturday. Griff mentioned that their league position belied their performance. The 19-17 win took the Knights above Bedford and into fourth place. Finishing in the top four is no longer relevant now that automatic top-up has returned and there are no promotion play-offs but it’s still nice to know that you would qualify for them if they existed. It’s a type of invisible line separating the top Championship teams from the rest.

Hartpury will be riding the crest of a wave after their 39-20 defeat of Nottingham. Nottingham were just below the Knights with similar scoring results before we beat them on 28th January. Two Knight wins and two Nottingham defeats sees the Knights in fourth place in the Championship and Nottingham have dropped to eighth and ten league points below us!

Hartpury College are currently tenth in the Championship with five wins, one draw and nine defeats. The Knights are fourth after both winning and losing seven games and recording one draw. Both teams will be aware that one of the Student’s wins was against the Knights, so Hartpury will take some confidence in the knowledge that they have beaten us before and so can do it again. The Knights will want to avenge that defeat and record a more significant win against these young pretenders; although Tyson said on our website that it’s not a case of avenging the defeat, more a case of aiming to win each game. As long as we win.

One point worthy of note is that although Hartpury are six places below the Knights in the table, their defence has been superior by 25 points.

Fly-Half James Williams scores Hartpury’s points from the boot and his away kicking strike rate is nearly 86%; an impressive strike rate so the Knights must keep their discipline, especially in their own half.

Student try scoring has been a roughly 60%:40% split Backs;Forwards, tries conceded have been roughly the same ratio. The Students have conceded two fewer tries than the Knights yet they are six places below us. This indicates a strong defence of their try-line. In fact Hartpury have conceded the same number of tries as Bristol. Further evidence of Hartpury’s superiority of defence of their try-line is that only two teams have scored a winning bonus point against the Students (scored four tries or more). Second-placed Ealing have had three scored against them and top-placed Bristol have had four…

Griff said on his DRFC website preview that the Knights will need to raise their game again if they are to reverse October's defeat to Hartpury on Saturday and gives praise to how the league's newcomers have acquitted themselves in their debut Championship campaign.
The Knights want to start off strongly and not play catch-up.

Other meaningful fixtures taking place this cold but warming slightly (hopefully) weekend are:

Friday 16th February

Jersey Reds (6th, 5 points below) welcome second-placed Ealing Trailfinders to Stade Santander International

Saturday 17th February

Bedford Blues (5th, 1 point below) travel to South Yorkshire to play Rotherham Titans (12th with 1 win)

Sunday 18th February

Carnegie (3rd, 1 point ahead and 1 game in hand) host Richmond (7th) at Emerald Headingley Stadium

A Jersey five point win and a Knight loss would put us on equal ;league points but Jersey would go above because they will have won more games.

COYK

DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…

Last Edit: Feb 14, 2018 15:25:30 GMT by Jamie Crawford

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Hartpury preview Feb 16, 2018 18:13:08 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 16, 2018 18:13:08 GMT

London Scottish are four points below Hartpury College and will most likely stay below after they welcome Bristol to Richmond Athletic Ground.

The Cornish Pirates are equal on points with the Students, Nottingham are one point above and Richmond are two points above. The Pirates and Nottingham play each other plus Richmond travel to Headingley on Sunday, so a Hartpury win could see them rise to seventh or eighth.

They’ll be out for the win, knowing they’ve got youth on their side. The Knights are hardly old and they’re a fit side so we’ve got to demonstrate our superior Championship experience and go for the 5-0 win.

COYK

DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…

Last Edit: Feb 16, 2018 18:13:21 GMT by Jamie Crawford

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Hartpury preview Feb 17, 2018 18:22:51 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 17, 2018 18:22:51 GMT

Good 48-38 win today. A 5-0 win, you can't ask for more. Bedford Blues are now two points below after just beating Rotherham Titans without the bonus point; 15-18.

A high-scoring game, great watching for any neutrals.

Don't get excited about us being third because Carnegie have two games in hand and only need to score four points to go above us.

They have to play current eight placed Richmond and ninth placed Cornish Pirates, so the odds are that they will score more than four points over two games but Ealing Trailfinders are 21 points above Carnegie (Bristol are 34 points above) so they have nothing to worry about.

Last Edit: Feb 17, 2018 18:30:02 GMT by Jamie Crawford

justdoit Mascot Posts: 48	Hartpury preview Feb 18, 2018 9:28:42 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by justdoit on Feb 18, 2018 9:28:42 GMT What a welcome home from our holiday - 2 wins from 2 games. Looks as though it was a good game to watch yesterday. Would think it was a 5-1 result Jamie. Still hoping to get down to watch a game this season. Steve and Hazel

upandover
Mascot

Posts: 40

Hartpury preview Feb 18, 2018 11:13:30 GMT

Quote

Post by upandover on Feb 18, 2018 11:13:30 GMT

Yes it was a good win in terms of getting maximum points.However the performance was far from good when 38 points are put on the board from a team third from bottom.The defence at times was very poor and whats the point in putting loads of effort into the driving mauls only to then kick the ball away giving possession to the opposition.

billhunt
Player

Posts: 492

Hartpury preview Feb 18, 2018 18:41:32 GMT

Quote

Post by billhunt on Feb 18, 2018 18:41:32 GMT

I do agree. Our kicking game from scrum half - Heaney especially - is awful. too long for any effective kick/chase and inviting opposition attacks (which succeed too often). The Hartpury 10 knew how to kick into spaces, unpredictably, and caused us all sorts of problems. Very frustrating to see this weakness repeated week after week. No learning on review?
Same with our restarts - too long to contest. Hartpury showed us how short contestable restarts can be effective - one try a direct result. When will we learn? Do our coaches not think of these areas of the game?

upandover
Mascot

Posts: 40

Hartpury preview Feb 18, 2018 22:25:49 GMT

Quote

Post by upandover on Feb 18, 2018 22:25:49 GMT

Feb 18, 2018 18:59:26 GMT John Bale said:

I always find the easiest place to ref a game is from the stand, it appears coaching is easy too.

Bit of a pathetic response if I may say so. It's a forum for supporters comments and if those in the stand can see it then so should the coaches too.It's their job to put it right but as has been said the kicking just keeps on happening. We have the backs to cause trouble for many defences but they can't do anything when poor kicking so often puts them on the back foot.I suppose you also think that having 38 points put past them is also something the supporters shouldn't be concerned about.

wildbill KORT Posts: 1,066	Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 8:48:05 GMT John Bale likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wildbill on Feb 19, 2018 8:48:05 GMT I'm not too concerned about how many points the opposition puts past us as long as we put more past them!!
	Two heads are better than one!!

wildbill KORT Posts: 1,066	Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 9:46:58 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wildbill on Feb 19, 2018 9:46:58 GMT Just watched the "trylights" from Saturday. How did Tom James get there so quickly to support Andy Bulumakau at the speed Andy went through the gap??? Great support play!
	Two heads are better than one!!

Sir Spicious
Moderator

Posts: 531

Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 9:51:18 GMT John Bale likes this

Quote

Post by Sir Spicious on Feb 19, 2018 9:51:18 GMT

The coaching team at Castle Park is widely acknowledged as being among the best in the Championship. Their record over the last few years would support that fact. They spend six days a week with the players and know each one of them inside out. If anyone on this forum is seriously suggesting they know more about coaching or how players will perform on the field than our coaches do, they are seriously delusional.

Of course we all have opinions and the right to express them. If you wish to make yourselves look foolish by suggesting that your view of tactics, game plan, team selection and the myriad other facets of the game are in some way more valid than the coaches, that too is your choice. Just don't expect my support.

tommo
Mascot

Posts: 46

Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 10:43:53 GMT John Bale likes this

Quote

Post by tommo on Feb 19, 2018 10:43:53 GMT

Well said Sir Spicious. As a former junior rugby coach and now happily retired season ticket holder, I sit in the stands and have to have a quiet chuckle to myself at times at some of the comments coming from people who clearly have no idea whatsoever. However, I keep my own council and respect their right to their opinion. Plus it does entertain me!!!
What I do find distasteful is the repeated criticism on this forum of one player in particular, Michael Heaney. It is grossly unfair to single out individual players from behind the safety of your computer screen. if you have a beef with him, tell him to his face.
He is clearly playing to a game plan, and he cannot control the lack of an effective kick chase. Perhaps, if there is a perceived problem with this tactic, take it up directly with the coaching team rather than singling out an individual for cheap shots??

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 10:44:21 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 19, 2018 10:44:21 GMT

OK Sir..., I stand corrected, a 5-1 win. Thanks.

Can I throw another opinion into the mix - as an example can you imagine the coaches frustration when our players are told not to kick the ball away but then they do it anyway?
The point is that every player has their own mind, the coaching team can only advise (tell) them what to do; what they actually do may differ.

Most of Hartpury's tries seemed to come straight from the training ground, they were well versed on their tactics and moves.

Another point to make is that we won with a bonus point and yet made many obvious errors that can be corrected.

Last Edit: Feb 19, 2018 10:45:23 GMT by Jamie Crawford

upandover
Mascot

Posts: 40

Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 11:39:53 GMT

Quote

Post by upandover on Feb 19, 2018 11:39:53 GMT

Blimey if expressing a couple of concerns results in you being described as delusional and trying to coach the team,whats the point of having a forum for comments in the first place? I think I'll just pack in and let you experts on all matters rugby have a total monopoly on all that's said on here.In other words take your forum and stick it where the sun don't shine.

Sir Spicious
Moderator

Posts: 531

Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 12:18:31 GMT

Quote

Post by Sir Spicious on Feb 19, 2018 12:18:31 GMT

No need to be so touchy, upandover. I believe I made it clear that everyone has a right to express an opinion. The opinion I expressed was not aimed at anyone in particular but rather more an observation that if the coaches are not making changes to game plan or personnel, it's not unreasonable to assume they're happy with things. If they are not happy presumably changes will follow. QED.

Jamie Crawford Director of Rugby Posts: 1,859	Hartpury preview Feb 19, 2018 18:04:14 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Jamie Crawford on Feb 19, 2018 18:04:14 GMT Back to rugby matters: Hartpury review in the Star: Injury mars victory for Doncaster Knights
	Last Edit: Feb 19, 2018 18:05:06 GMT by Jamie Crawford

thomasmachin: It would appear that if we are to replace the departing players we had better be quick or all the available players will be signed by Ealing ,Coventry and Cornish Pirates! Apr 20, 2018 8:14:16 GMT

donnyknightsfan: that was absolutely dire today almost from start to finish apart from a spell in the 2nd half when we looked OK. players don't look motivated enough to me. they need a kick up the backside. the next two games v Bedford and Irish look a tough ask now. Oct 6, 2018 21:04:32 GMT

rodders: A bit random this one but are any Knights fans travelling to the Jersey game on Friday 1st March flying from East Midlands on the 10.55 flight out. 2 of us are looking for a lift to East Midlands airport unexpectedly. Happy to share costs of travel Feb 17, 2019 19:52:21 GMT