Doncaster 47 Blackheath 17: Rebuilding Doncaster overcome first hurdle after sluggish start

After eight successive seasons in the Championship, Doncaster are now competing in unfamiliar territory – trips to Worthing, Old Albanians and Cinderford are on the horizon – and if their contest against Blackheath is the standard they can expect, the opposition will be unquestionably competitive.

An enjoyable first game at this level was spoiled from Doncaster’s point of view by what appears to be a serious ankle injury to prop Ross Davies, one of 11 new signings who appeared from the start.

Unfortunately, the former Rotherham forward lasted only seven minutes before limping off. Davies and Doncaster’s medical staff will know more today as to how long he may be absent.

Thankfully, other debutants were able to make longer and more significant contributions during an encounter in which Blackheath shocked the full-time professionals by scoring the first try and grabbing a 7-0 lead after only 10 minutes.

However, following a hesitant and unpromising beginning which saw Blackheath dominate possession and territory, Doncaster’s fitness, superior skills and pace began to seize control.

Four of their six tries, five of which were scored in an impressive second half, were supplied by new players: lock Michael Walker-Fitton, No 8 Paul Eggleshaw, centre Matt Clarke and winger Paul Jarvis whose explosive speed should turn him into a regular match winner.

“It’s going to be a tough league and we are not taking anything for granted,” explained Jarvis, 24, whose previous clubs were Coventry and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

“The set-up at Castle Park is brilliant and the coaches are excellent. We are working hard in training on an expansive game and that seems to be our strength.

“After being injured at Coventry, it is now going really well for me and you can’t complain when you score in your first game.

“Every game is going to be a cup final for the opposition and we could have a few tricky first halves.”

Indeed, Blackheath were stubborn opponents and prevented Doncaster entering the opposition’s 22 during an uncomfortable opening 20 minutes.

Patience was required until the advantages of remaining full-time professional in National One began to tell.

Doncaster were forced to wait until 34 minutes to take the lead from Walker-Fitton’s try, but from then on, tries were scored regularly in a rampant second half from the hosts.

Considering that centre Bevon Armitage on his return featured prominently, it was surprising that he failed to score.

Others, though, benefitted from Doncaster’s power which broke through on 50, 54, 65, 67 and 75 minutes as the Knights achieved a maximum of five points.

The recovery was led by two experienced Castle Park players, scrum-half Chris Hallam and flanker Adam Kettle, whose scores put Doncaster in front by 28-10.

Another familiar face, winger Dougie Flockhart, also played his part, kicking three penalties and four conversion.

Apart from conceding two tries to rolling mauls from lineouts, Doncaster can be satisfied with their first outing in National One as coach Clive Griffiths acknowledged: “You’ve got to be happy with a bonus point, but we were rusty at times and off the pace and had a shocking start when we missed tackles.

“We must work hard on the catch and drive from which Blackheath scored twice. That hurt us.

“It took time for us to get back in, but when we increased our pace, they had no answer.

“This was only the fourth game together as a team. This is a new side and you can’t expect miracles, but when we raise the tempo I think few sides will be able to live with us.”

Griffiths’s next challenge is to prepare his squad for the trip to Hull Ionians who, along with Wharfedale, are the other Yorkshire club Doncaster face in what will be fiercely contested derbies.

As Griffiths pointed out his squad now face another 29 
Cup finals, the last of which is at Blackheath at the end of April next year.

By then, though, his ambition of gaining promotion back to the Championship ought to have been achieved given the resources at Castle Park.

Doncaster Knights: Bryce, Jarvis, Clarke, Armitage (Barker 67), Flockhart, Roberts, Hallam (Bravo 68), Tamanis, Santamaria (Bergmanas 73), Davies (Phillips 7), Challinor, Walker-Fitton (Kenworthy 60), Kettle, Hills, Eggleshaw.

Blackheath: Griffiths, Canty, Burcham, Ellis (Graham 70), O’Neil, Marshall, Walsh (Munton 77), Winwood, Grier, Brett (Haskins 67), Bason (Davies 67), Stradwick, Liston (Covington 73), Allen, Catt.

Referee: Andrew Jackson.