Doncaster Knights turn up heat on top two as Rotherham Titans crash

After a slow start to the season, Clive Griffiths’s side continued their recent revival with an impressive 48-14 win at London Scottish.

They ran in eight tries and, after Carnegie lost a third successive Championship game yesterday, are now just eight points adrift with four games remaining. Doncaster, who enjoyed their best ever finish of second last term, host their derby rivals in their next match a week on Sunday.

Having destroyed Scottish, they will be confident of keeping the pressure on their county rivals in the final run-in.

Last season’s beaten Championship finalists led just 22-14 after 49 minutes on Saturday but then scored four unanswered tries with some thrilling rugby. Hooker Ben Hunter started it off before flanker Jack Ram picked up his second try on the hour ahead of winger Dougie Flockhart completing his brace and full-back Paul Jarvis rounding things off in the last minute.

Veteran Matt Challinor and winger Tyson Lewis also crossed in the first half with Flockhart adding four conversions as Doncaster secured a third straight away win.

There was more woe for struggling Rotherham Titans as they endured an embarrassing 51-12 home defeat to Ealing Trailfinders.

Justin Burnell’s side were 37-0 down by the break, their task not made any easier against the top-four side by the fact lock Miles Normandale was red carded for foul play after just 16 minutes.

Rotherham could not cope with the power and pace of Ealing who ran in six tries.

Kieran Murphy (2), Rayn Smid, Luke Carter, Will Harries and Sam Rodman all crossed, Rory Clegg enjoying a 100 per cent conversion rate and also adding three penalties.

Granted, Titans did improve in the second period, prop Joe Rees and winger Tom Collins both scoring tries, Caolan Ryan improving the latter, but it could not disguise a wretched display that leaves more question marks at Clifton Lane.