Home page
Local sport
York City FC
York City Knights
News
Diary
Match reports
Fixtures and results
Personnel
Players
2008 squad picture
Player of the month
Cricket
Leeds United
Football
Rugby League
Rugby Union
Angling
Athletics
Badminton
Bowls
Cycling
Darts
Golf
Hockey
Horse racing
Little League
Martial arts
Motorsport
National Sport
Netball
Park Life - Grass roots sport
Pool
Rowing
Snooker
Sports mail
Squash
Swimming
Table tennis
Tennis
The Big Interview
TKO Tony Kelly
York Sports Awards
Site Map
Search Advanced Search
News  RSS Feed RSS feed | About
EDITOR'S CHOICE
MIKE BENTLEY
Why did they have to shoot?
NEWS ANALYSIS
How city council tackles nuisance neighbours
BUSINESS NEWS
Office job is up to speed
MOTORING NEWS
Toyota RAV 4
YORK RACES
Guiding light shows way for Tartan glory
GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL
Most read Comments
Knights keen to step up for Dons

PLAYER-BOSS Paul March is adamant his York City Knights side will not rest on their laurels after their first triumph.

The Knights achieved their first win of 2008 in style with a 50-10 thumping of Blackpool Panthers at the Woodlands Memorial Ground last Saturday.

However, they face a much sterner test on Bank Holiday Monday when they play host to current Co-operative National League Two table-toppers Doncaster, who have won all five of their league games so far.

March was quick to acknowledge this game would be much tougher, but he reckoned his side are keen to go up another gear after last week's win.

"It will be as tough as we make it. I believe we can kick on from here. We're not going to get carried away with that one win," he said.

"Doncaster have got a number of dangermen. There's some good experience as well. Young Luke Gale and Kyle Briggs at half-back can play on the day - but they've not been put under pressure yet.

"I know the areas we can look to exploit. We will see what happens on Monday."

March is likely to make at least one, possibly three, changes to last week's winning line-up. However, he was not naming his side just yet, as the Knights face an extra training session tomorrow in the build-up to the Bank Holiday encounter.

Prop Danny Ekis is set to return after his two-match suspension, while second-row Mark Applegarth might also feature having been relegated to the reserves last week.

March hoped dropping his former Wakefield club-mate would give the 23-year-old a "kick up the backside" following his drop in form.

He said: "He was professional about not playing (for the first team) and took it on the chin and got on with things. I was pleased with that aspect. But he's still got a lot to prove on the field to get a starting shirt back."

March was happy to have Ekis able to boost the pack more so.

"It's good to have his aggression in the forwards back, and, apart from Dave Buckley, he's been one of the more consistent performers. He also brings that second-phase rugby with his off-load game," he said.

Young back David Leeke, the 18th man last week, also makes up a 20-man provisional squad.

The form of March himself could also be key as the 28-year-old goes up against Doncaster's youthful twosome in the half-back area.

He made a try-scoring return to the team last week but hopes there is more to come.

"It was not my best game but, getting back after injury and suspension, I needed some game time under my belt," he said.

"I feel ready to go. We've had a good nine-day break from Saturday to Monday and I'm looking forward to it."

Doncaster rose solely to the top with last week's 21-14 defeat of previously unbeaten Keighley, hooker Corey Lawrie scoring a stoppage-time try to seal it after a drop-goal by Gale had edged them ahead.

Kiwi Lawrie, and former Super League centres Andreas Bauer and Chris McKenna are likely to be other dangermen for the Dons, who are now coached by Great Britain legend Ellery Hanley.

Knights (possible): Mapals, Danville, Spicer, Esders, Oakes, Ratcliffe, P March, Ekis, Hughes, Buckley, Kelly, Divorty, D March. Subs: from Greenwood, Woodcock, Applegarth, Bailey, Lewis, Endersby, Leeke.

Doncaster (possible): Reay, Coulton, Bauer, McKenna, Rettie, Briggs, Gale, Benson, Lawrie, Caste, Buttery, Lawton, Green. Subs: Hart, Crook, Luisi, Haley.

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury).

Kick off: 3pm (Monday).

11:35am Saturday 3rd May 2008

Print   Email this   Comment
Add your comment
Please note: to publish your comment you must be registered on this site. If you are already registered, please enter your details below.
Email:
Password:
Archive
Buy The Press online'
Search
Search for Local Jobs, Homes & Cars around York & North Yorkshire
Powered by Powered by Fish4
Local Business Search facility
Ryedale news
Read the Gazette & Herald online here
Event listings
Find and advertise events that are going on in and around York.
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2008
Newsquest Media Group
A Gannett Company
This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network