Esher 20 Doncaster Knights 29: Keating epitomises character to put Knights on course

Michael Keating struck twice in the first half while scores after the break from Latu Makaafi and David McIlwaine sealed the victory.

Esher took the lead in the eighth minute after a mistake from Keating was punished.

The winger failed to deal with a kick and offered the ball up for Phil Mackenzie to score, Rob Kirby converting to compound the error.

But the young Irishman showed a great strength of character as he did not let it affect his game and on 20 minutes he scored the first of his two tries.

The first came as a result of some quick ball from the back of a ruck and a great mis-pass thrown wide by Chris Hallam found Keating in the right place to go over for a try.

His second try came after Makaafi broke free inside his own half showing great pace and strength to fend off two would-be tacklers before handing over to Keating at the Esher 22 for the winger to finish off under the posts. David McIlwaine converted both as the Knights went into the break 14-7 ahead.

Five minutes into the second half, Makaafi went from provider to scorer as he brushed aside Esher tacklers to cross after being put in by Dougie Flockhart’s mazy run along the line.

Kirby and McIlwaine traded penalties before the latter finished off a sweeping team move that began from a lineout and ended in the left corner to reaffirm Doncaster’s superiority.

Esher rallied late on, with Kirby adding another penalty and prop Robin Boot scoring after his side countered well following a quick turnover. But despite their efforts they did not manage to get close enough for a losing bonus point and stay rooted to the foot of the table without a point.

Esher: Kirby, Walker, Mackenzie, Wright, Edgerley, Atkinson, Stuart-Smith; Mines, Mackie, Boot, Parker, Matthews, Kench, Stitcher, Goodman. Replacements: Zeiss, Corrigan, Macfarlane, Synott, Ingall, Mill, Mackenzie.

Doncaster: McIlwaine, Flockhart, Goss, Gidlow, Keating, Luke, Hallam; Corsar, Boden, Brown, Kenworthy, Parsons, Makaafi, Farivarz, Noone. Replacements: Davies, Yeandle, Challinor, Boyde, Planchant, Audis, Toft.

Referee: D Richards (RFU).