London Scottish 37 Doncaster Knights 26: Search for a first win goes on as Knights are beaten

Doncaster Knights are still searching for their first win of the new season as they crashed to defeat at a sun-drenched Athletic Ground.

The Knights managed to grab a try bonus in a match that produced nine tries in total, but the lack of cutting edge after a dazzling opening 10 minutes left the Yorkshiremen with further disappointment.

Doncaster started strongly and took a deserved early lead through a converted try from full-back Dougie Flockhart who caught the home side napping from a close- range penalty.

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Fly-half Lennard chipped to the Knights’ Scotsman who dotted down in the corner.

The visitors soon extended their lead after a series of forward drives allowed winger Tyson Lewis to snipe over from close range. Lennard’s touchline conversion made it 14-0.

It took an individual effort from wing David Howells to spark the home side into life.

Doncaster, conceding possession on the halfway line, gave the Exiles’ speedster the chance to show a clean pair of heels to the cover defence.

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Scottish gradually established a foothold in the game and full-back James Love reduced the arrears with a long-range penalty, before captain and star man Mark Bright led by example with a crucial try, cutting a great line after former Knights centre PJ Gildow had put them on the front foot with a series of powerful bursts.

Just short of half-time a wayward clearance from Lennard gave the hosts another chance to attack and Scotland international Phil Godman took advantage to score under the posts. Love added the extras for a 22-14 lead at the interval.

Knights started the second half like the first, the Doncaster pack winning a scrum against the head deep in Scottish territory. No 8 Sam Pailor picked before passing to scrum-half Chris Hallam who strolled over the whitewash to draw them to within three.

Scottish responded through a Love penalty before a very dubious penalty try decision gave them a handsome lead. The Exlies secured victory with a well worked try from lock Paul Spivey.

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There was still time left for Doncaster wing Lewis to score an impressive long-distance try beating his former team-mate Love to collect a double, but even with Lennard’s conversion it wasn’t enough to claim their first win of the season.