Flockhart shines as Knights secure qualification for next stage

Doncaster’s comfortable win at Castle Park by six tries to three enabled the Knights to achieve their first goal of the season: qualification for the promotion play-offs.

Now, they can concentrate on how to produce similar match-winning performances once it has been decided who they will compete against in the next stage.

Considering that this encouraging display, in which full-back Dougie Flockhart contributed a remarkable effort of 26 points – comprising of three tries, four conversions and a penalty – followed three weeks of inactivity, Doncaster can be highly satisfied.

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With the play-offs in mind and league games remaining against London Welsh, Rotherham, Bristol and Nottingham, Doncaster are also relieved that fly-half Michael Whitehead, reappearing after an absence of more than three months due to a broken hand, returned strongly.

“He did well and I am really pleased with him. The intention was for Michael to play for 65 minutes and he did. He was blowing a bit when he came off but I was pleased with his performance,” explained Knights’ director of rugby Brett Davey.

If Doncaster are to be highly competitive in the Championship play-offs, they will need major players, like Whitehead and Flockhart, not only to stay fit but also to produce consistently.

The Scotsman, normally a winger and playing out of position at full-back, delivered a top-quality exhibition, scoring tries on 32, 65 and 84 minutes.

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His pace ruined Esher’s defence, and Flockhart’s place- kicking, too, played a significant role in the victory against the league’s bottom side.

Flockhart’s match-winning contribution against his former club, who he left to join Doncaster three seasons ago, left him with mixed feelings:

“I’m obviously a Doncaster man now,” he said. “The set-up is great here and the coaching facilities good. But I loved my time at Esher and, in fact, my last hat-trick was for Esher. So it’s bitter-sweet to score a hat-trick against them.

“We were good in fits and starts and showed glimpses of good form. We are naturally happy to be in the play-offs, but Doncaster are looking for better than that.

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“We are looking to make waves in the play-offs. Teams are scared of us, we are one of the fittest teams in the Championship, have some skilful players and have been boosted by the signing of four players recently. We feel we are in good shape.”

Inevitably ring-rusty having not played competitively for three weeks, the win was established by the force of their forwards whose work created a lead of 24-17 at half time.

As Doncaster prepare for the next home match against Rotherham in two weeks, forwards’coach Glen Kenworthy has assembled a competitive pack that wins sufficient possession and, when needed, delivers quick ball.

Doncaster Knights: Flockhart, Toft, Goss, Burdon, Keating, Whitehead (McDonough 66), Hallam (Heaney 71), Andrew Brown (Burke-Flynn 66), Boden (Yeandle 58), Alex Brown (Francis (69), Challinor, Parsons, Boyde (Kettle 58), Fariarz (Planchant 58), Noone.

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Esher: Daniels, Wright, P.Mackenzie, Cheeseman, Griffiths (Kirby 75), Atkinson (Little 75), .Mackenzie (Stuart-Smith 71),Millard (Elosu 66), Campbell (Corrigan 71), Nebbett,Symons, Inglis, Stitcher, Synott (Goodman 66), Macfarlane.

Referee: S Lee.