TOBY Berridge and Michael Heaney have been handed starting debuts as the Knights make a third attempt at their trip to London Welsh this afternoon (2pm).

Director of rugby Brett Davey is still smarting over the failure to call off the initial visit to Old Deer Park until less than an hour before kick off, ensuring a wasted eight hour round trip for the Knights.

He is determined to gain some measure of revenge for what he deemed ‘disrespect’ but is also keen to provide some regular players with a rest following a hectic period.

Heaney will make his first start at nine in place of Chris Hallam and partner his former Ireland U20 colleague Gareth McDonogh at half back.

Glen Kenworthy, Latu Makaafi and David Bradford will all return to the starting XV while former Cambridge star Berridge gets his first start at full back.

Those missing out from Saturday’s agonising 15-14 defeat to South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham Titans are Hallam, PJ Gidlow, Matt Challinor, Andy Boyde and players’ player of the year Zach Farivarz.

Challinor, Hallam and Farivarz all drop to the bench.

The Knights have a short turnaround before the trip to Bristol on Friday night (7.45pm) for their final game of the regular season.

Davey believes squad rotation will help freshen up the squad before the play offs begin.

He said: “This week will keep them on their toes and each player will get their chance to impress and keep a spot in the first team when the play-offs kick in.

“It’s a mini World Cup from here in and these games could give us a momentum in the knockout stage, but more than anything it relieves us of any pressure and will help us play the brand of rugby we are aiming for.”

Knights team to face London Welsh: 15 Toby Berridge; 14 Dougie Flockhart; 13 Oli Goss; 12 Fred Burdon; 11 Michael Keating; 10 Gareth Quinn-McDonogh; 9 Michael Heaney; 1 Tom Davies; 2 Steve Boden; 3 Alex Brown; 4 Glen Kenworthy; 5 Dominic Parsons; 6 Latu Makaafi; 7 David Bradford; 8 Michael Noone.

Replacements: 16 Royce Burke-Flynn; 17 Jack Yeandle; 18 Stuart Corsar; 19 Matt Challinor; 20 Zack Farivarz; 21 Chris Hallam; 22 Ben Toft.

London Welsh: 15 Seb Jewell; 14 Will Hurrell; 13 Hudson Tonga’uiha; 12 Simon Whatling; 11 Joe Ajuwa; 10 Gordon Ross; 9 Jack Moates; 1 Shawn Pittman; 2 Vili Ma’asi; 3 Billy Moss; 4 Adam Brown; 5 Martin Purdy; 6 Lee Beach; 7 Michael Hills; 8 Ben Russell.

Replacements: 16 Saul Nelson; 17 Greg Bateman; 18 Mike Powell; 19 Matt Corker; 20 Rob Lewis; 21 Alex Davies; 22 James Lewis.

KYLE Bennett pressed his claims for a place in the Doncaster Rovers’ side to face Peterborough on Saturday with a brace in yesterday afternoon’s 4-1 win over Lincoln City in a practice game behind closed doors at the club’s training ground.

It was suggested last night that Sheffield Wednesday had unsuccessfully tried to sign Bennett on loan.

Fabien Robert, who made his Rovers’ debut coming off the bench in Saturday’s game at Leeds United, also netted as did a trialist.

Striker Chris Brown and midfielder Paul Keegan, neither of whom have played at first-team level under manager Dean Saunders due to injuries, both played a full game and came through without any adverse affect.

Fit-again defender Shelton Martis, an unused substitute at Elland Road, played for around an hour.

Damian Plessis, yet to play at Championship level for Rovers, caught the eye in midfield.

Saunders will have to make a decision within the next few days on whether to try and extend keeper David Button’s loan spell.

The 22-year-old Spurs’ keeper is due to play his last game for Rovers as part of his second spell on loan in Saturday’s game.

Button again impressed for Rovers in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Leeds United.

He was initially brought in as emergency cover at the start of the year when Wolves loanee Carl Ikeme picked up a serious hand injury in training and needed surgery and long-serving Neil Sullivan was also booked in for an operation to try and resolve a serious wear and tear hand injury.

Saunders rates Ikeme highly and would like to bring him back to the club on loan.

But the Premier League club’s recent decision to part company with long-time manager Mick McCarthy could put any moves to bring him back to Doncaster on loan on ice.

It is likely that the new manager, when appointed, will want to assess his playing resources and will be keen to give everybody the chance to stake their claim before deciding who is surplus to requirements at this moment in time and who is available to go out on loan.

Another factor is that Sullivan could soon be back in the frame. The 42 year-old saw his specialist on Monday and following the all-clear he resumed light training with goal-keeping coach Lee Butler yesterday.

But with Rovers facing nine matches next month - two of which are away to the current top two sides and crucial relegation six-pointers against Nottingham Forest and Millwall - Saunders will want his strongest possible squad available. He will have former Aston Villa centre-back Habib Beye available after a three-match ban against the Posh.

Due to postponements, the 34 year-old, who recently signed a new 18-month contract at the club, has not played for over a month., but has trained hard.

Rovers have reduced the adult admission price for the Peterborough game to £15. Juniors 16 and under will be able to see the match for £5.

West Yorkshire Police, who questioned both teams in their respective dressing rooms following an incident in the tunnel after Saturday’s game against Leeds United at Elland Road, are continuing their investigation.

The two clubs have so far declined to comment on the incident, but a police spokesperson said: “There was a small disturbance in the tunnel after the game involving both teams. Officers dealt swiftly with the incident and there were no injuries or arrests. Both teams are working with the police and any necessary action will be taken in due course.”

Rovers’ media manager Steve Uttley confirmed yesterday afternoon that the club were assisting the police. But contrary to reports that the FA were also investigating the incident, he said that the football authorities had not been in touch.

DONCASTER Knights will be looking to bounce back from successive Championship defeats in today’s rearranged clash against London Welsh at Old Deer Park (2pm).

It is the first of two games in three days for the Knights, who also visit leaders Bristol on Friday in their last fixture before the play-offs start next weekend.

“I am absolutely raging about the situation,” said Knights’ boss Brett Davey prior to the team leaving for their overnight hotel. We were originally scheduled to play Bristol on Saturday but they approached us about playing the game on the Friday night in October or November last year and we didn’t have a problem with that.

But as it has panned out having to play London Welsh just 48 before is ridiculous. Today’s game was originally going to be played yesterday but London Welsh (who played London Scottish on Sunday) wanted it playing today.

“That is okay as far as they are concerned but everyone seems to have forgotten that we’ve already been inconvenienced in this situation. We had to travel down there earlier this month when, in my opinion, the pitch was never going to be playable.

“Now we’ve got to down there again as well as having to play away at Bristol in what will be our fourth game in ten days. It’s something that needs looking at because having to play in midweek, as we also had to do in the British & Irish Cup pool games, puts too much of a physical strain on the players.

“It’s probably not too bad for those clubs who have dual-registered players, or have links with a Premiership club. But when, like us, you have to operate with a 29-man squad it is an absolute joke.”

Eighth-placed Knights could finish two places higher but need to beat both Welsh and Bristol - who have both beaten them at home - and for other results to go their way.

DONCASTER Rovers slumped to their first home defeat in six league games against Blackpool on TUESDAY night as the Seasiders completed a league double with a 3-1 win in the return at the Keepmoat Stadium.

It was a setback for Rovers in more ways than one. For given their poor away record the vast majority of the wins that manager Dean Saunders feels the team need to retain their Championship status are expected to have to come from games played at the Keepmoat Stadium, it is imperative that their home form remains good.

Blackpool played well on the night and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

Manager Dean Saunders was later than usual coming out to speak to the media post-match - I think it was around 10.20pm - which didn’t give me much time to compile a back page piece before the 10.30pm or so deadline.

Prior to the game I had been told off the record that long-serving Mickey Walker had been rushed to hospital, where he underwent heart surgery after collapsing at the training ground the previous afternoon.

I’ve known Mickey for many years in his various roles as youth team manager, assistant first-team manager, caretaker manager and, in recent years, director of football, and no matter what job he was doing at the time he has always been both personable and approachable. I was relieved to be told that Mickey would be okay, even though he would have to take things easy for a few weeks.

WEDNESDAY: DONCASTER Knights were put to the sword by a lively Nottingham side in their rearranged Championship clash at Meadow Lane, going down 40-14. It was Knights’ first game for three weeks and it showed in a poor first half which saw them come in 23-0 behind.

They hadn’t helped their cause by making unforced handling errors and giving away numerous free-kicks, though team boss Brett Davey did have cause to complain over some of the referee’s decisions.

Knights played much better in the second half and the final score-line looked like being far more respectable until Nottingham took advantage of PJ Gidlow’s yellow card to post two late converted tries.

Adding to Knights’ disappointment was a serious knee injury sustained by second-rower Dan Smith in his first start for the club after a long battle against a career-threatening neck injury.

The Dons got their 2012 campaign off to a winning start with a 48-10 win at Gateshead in their opening Northern Rail Cup Pool B clash. Centre Lee Waterman scored four tries on his competitive debut for the club.

THURSDAY: THE Bentley Ladies’ Thursday Charity Darts League presented their 2011 nominated charity, the Gynaecology Unit at the DRI, with a cheque for £1,300.

Rovers’ hopes of avoiding the drop received a boost as Portsmouth were docked 10 points after going into administration.

FRIDAY: I watched 2011 Super League champions Leeds Rhinos regain Rugby League’s World Club Challenge crown with a 26-12 win, which belies how close the match was, over Australian champions Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley. Although Leeds could have bettered the 21,000 capacity crowd by moving the game to Elland Road, as they have done in the past, the atmosphere generated justified the decision to play at home.

SATURDAY: IT was a red-letter day in Doncaster Knights’ history as their impressive Castle Park complex staged its first ever live televised game.

And thanks to a fair following from Rotherham, and some hard work by the club in promoting the match, the game attracted a bumper 4,000 plus crowd which, to the best of my knowledge, is a ground record.

A lot of people no doubt will have been seeing Knights play for the first time, either live or on television. But unfortunately neither the result, a 15-14 win for the Titans, or the game itself, will have done much to encourage many newcomers to give the Doncaster club another try which is a shame because most games at Castle Park are much more free-flowing and entertaining than this scrappy affair.

I watched half an hour of the match, which kicked off at 12.05pm, on Sky Sports, before recording the rest and setting off for Doncaster Rovers’ Championship derby against Leeds United at Elland Road - a stadium which has seen better days.

Regular readers of this column may remember that I knocked myself out on my last visit to the ground after walking into a low solid concrete support beam during the half-time break.

There are warnings plastered all over the said supports, in what is still a very small media room for a club of United’s stature, not that I would ever make the same mistake twice.

I was amazed at the number of media people in the packed room who remembered the incident.

I didn’t realise, nor it seemed did some other journalists, that Rovers had kicked off with only 10 men. It was only when I saw Pascal Chimbonda (who apparently was told to take off his tights) emerge out of the dressing room that I noticed the visitors were short-handed.

The main talking point after the game, however, was the bust up in the tunnel.

Exact details of what had happened were hard to find as neither team, who were both questioned by the West Yorkshire Police, were prepared to comment. But from snippets of information I was able to pick up by hanging around until nearly 6.30pm, it was clearly a fairly serious incident with a number of punches being thrown.

Boxing legend Chris Eubank was ringside at Rotherham’s Magna Centre to see his son Chris Jnr beat Doncaster middleweight Jason Ball on points in only his second paid contest. Big things are expected of Eubank, who spent three years training in tough American gyms prior to turning professional late last year, but he didn’t embarrass Ball.

SUNDAY: THE Dons left it too late to seriously challenge visiting York City Knights in their second Northern Rail Cup clash at the Keepmoat.

But at least their second half rally earned them a losing bonus point which could yet prove crucial in their bid to finish in the top four if they can win at least one of their two remaining games.

DONCASTER Rovers’ attacking midfielder Habib Bamogo will miss Saturday’s home game against Peterborough United.

Bamogo, who was starting his third successive game for Rovers, limped off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Leeds.

“I thought he did well while he was on the pitch,” said Rovers’ boss Dean Saunders. “I don’t think it is too bad. He will be out this weekend but there could be a chance of him playing against Brighton the week after.”

Left-back Tommy Spurr, carried off following a clash of heads in the closing stages of Saturday’s game with concussion, will be assessed today and may not train but he is expected to be fit for the Peterborough game.

Saunders gave his players the day off yesterday to get over their ‘disappointment’ of losing a two-goal lead.

Some were due to train today while others will feature in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Lincoln City at the club’s training ground.

The club, who will be dealing with the incident ‘in house’ said yesterday that they will not be making any statement on the trouble which flared in the tunnel at the end of Saturday’s game at Elland Road.

Saunders felt the incident served to detract from what he felt had been another good performance by his side.

“It was a game that we deserved to win and it is probably the best organised we’ve been as a side since I’ve been here,” he said yesterday.

“We created a lot of chances and in addition to the two goals we also hit the post and the crossbar. There was a bit of luck involved with two of their goals and we are just not getting the rub of the green at the moment.”

Saunders made several changes to the side beaten 3-1 at home by Blackpool in midweek and said that he had been happy with the results.

“We brought Simon Gillett in to stop Robert Snodgrass getting a lot of crosses in and I thought it worked well. I felt that we needed a bit more size and strength in midfield against Leeds so we brought in Giles Barnes.

“He’s got a lot of things that you look for in a footballer; it has just been a case of trying to get him to fit in with our formation at times.

“I also thought Mamadou Bagayoko did well. A lot of players struggle when they first come over here; it takes time.

“But I was pleased with him; he scored two and could have had a third.”

WHEATLEY Hills dropped a place to third in North East One despite completing a double over Morpeth with a 17-6 home win - Middlesbrough climbing above them after picking up a bonus point win.

Guy Townsley celebrated his return to action after a long lay-off with a hamstring injury by kicking the Doncaster side into an early 3-0 lead.

But, playing down the slope with a the blustery wind at their back, Morpeth shaded a tight first half and led 6-3 at the break thanks to penalties on 15 and 30 minutes.

Wheatley controlled the game in the second half and drew level with a second penalty by Townsley, playing at centre, on 49 minutes.

He landed a third penalty on the hour to edge his side into a 9-3 lead.

Fellow centre Mickey Hayward scored the only try of the game two minutes later.

Hayward showed good foot-work to beat two defenders around 30 metres out and then rounded the full-back to score. Townsley failed to add the conversion but hit the target with a fourth penalty to complete the scoring in what was a ragged performance by Wheatley in their first game in three weeks. Doncaster Phoenix slumped to arguably their worst defeat of the season in Yorkshire League Two, going down to a 32-3 reversal away to bottom club Goole, who had won only one of their previous 18 games.

Thornensians were also on the end of a sizeable 27-5 defeat in their Division Three clash at Baildon.

Rossington Hornets remain rooted to the foot of the Division Five table after crashing to their 16th defeat in as many starts this season when going down 33-0 at home to fourth-placed Garforth.

Second-bottom Adwick were routed 71-0 away at Stocksbridge.

Wheatley Hills second string suffered an 18-14 defeat against Wath seconds in their Yorkshire 2nd XV League (South) One clash.

Centre Jay Wilson and wing Niall Crowcroft shared out the two Wheatley tries, both of which were converted by Crowcroft.

The club’s third/vets team beat Sheffield Medics seconds 21-14 at home in a club match. Andy Wilson winged in for a brace with scrum-half Daz Martin also touching down.

Mark Sanderson converted all three tries.

DONCASTER Knights’ flanker Zack Farivarz, who scored one of the club’s two tries in Saturday’s 15-14 Championship derby defeat against Rotherham Titans, was named the Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s awards dinner on Saturday night.

The 24 year-old previously played for Irish provincial side Leinster prior to moving to South Yorkshire last summer.

He missed some of the early games due to injury but has been a regular in Brett Davey’s side since returning to full fitness, impressing with his work rate.

Another of the club’s summer signings, Alex Brown, was voted Most Improved Player of the Season.

The 22 year-old former England Under-16 and Under-18 international, joined the club from Championship rivals Bedford Blues.

Centre Fred Burdon, who joined the club late last year from National One side Blaydon, won the Champagne Moment of the season award for his try in the rout of second-placed Bedford Blues at Castle Park.

DONS’ skipper Craig Robinson is looking forward to trying to clip Sheffield Eagles’ wings in Sunday’s Northern Rail Cup Pool B clash at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The back-row forward suffered a badly gashed ear in the club’s first warm-up game against Hunslet and missed the pre-season friendly against the Eagles the following week.

“I know we ended up losing 40-22 on the day but the scores were level with ten minutes to go and I just think the fact that we only had two subs in the second half caught up with us in the end,” said Robinson.

“Obviously the fact that we ran them so close, and played really well against them, will give us some confidence going into Sunday’s game.

“But we also know that there is more riding on Sunday’s game and it is going to be more competitive.

“It’s a game that we can’t afford to lose if we are to maintain our hopes of making it through to the quarter-finals of the Northern Rail Cup because it is generally accepted that you have to win three of your four pool games.

“Although we managed to pick up a losing bonus point against York last weekend we didn’t play as well as we know that we can and we know that we will have to raise our game if we hope to beat Sheffield, who have won both their games. I thought that York dominated us in the forwards at times, especially in the first half, and we’ve to show that we are better than that, which I think we are. I think we’ve got one of the best packs in Championship One.

“We dropped too much ball in the first half and gave a lot of penalties away and we had to do a lot of defending. I certainly wasn’t happy with our first-half play and neither were the rest of the lads.

“But we showed what we can do by winning the second half 12-4 and that’s the sort of performance we’ve got to produce against Sheffield on Sunday.

“Whenever you are playing a side from a higher division, as is the case with Sheffield, you’ve got to be on the top of your game.”

WOODLANDS Rhinos lost interest in the Doncaster Senior Football League’s Doncaster FA Challenge Cup after going down 3-1 at home to Kinsley Boys in their second round tie. Joe Howey, Tom Clarke and Josh Appleton were on the mark for Kinsley and Daniel Palmer the consolation for Rhinos.

Central Midland League side Yorkshire Main hit four without reply as they disposed of Rossington Main to reach the quarter final. Ryan Evans notched a hat trick for Main and Darren Bird completed the tally.

In the Premier League, Bramley Sunnyside remain in second place after beating third placed Sutton Rovers 3-2.

Tom Salt bagged a brace for the winners with Matthew Brunyee rounding things off for Bramley. Ryan Walker and Darren Smith shared out the Rovers’ consolation goals.

Steve Nutter scored twice as South Elmsall United hit six without reply at Carcroft Village. Ryan Till, Mark McDermott, Andrew Brown and James Shakespeare all chipped in with single strikes for United.

Bawtry Town recorded another win away at South Kirkby Colliery. Jermaine Green netted a pair with Jack Burton, Sam Weston and Peter Walmsley completing the 5-0 score line.

Goals by Lee Winterman, Kevin McEwen and Ryan Davies helped secure the points for Hatfield Main in a 3-1 victory over Edlington Town, for whom Michael Edgecombe netted.

Swinton Station Athletic had a surprise win over Hemsworth Town beating them 4-1 on the back of a Steve Lynam brace and single strikes from Kieran Clark and Nathen Davies.

AFC Sportsman Rovers and Brodsworth Welfare shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Josh Critchley and Ben Pankovics both hit the target for Rovers with Ben Hodgson and Gareth Byron-Wright replying for Welfare.

Second-placed Shafton Villa moved a little closer to Division One leaders Denaby United with a 3-2 win over Scawthorpe & Bentley Rhinos.

Adam Fretwell, Spencer Clarke and Chris Glover were all on target for Villa with Andy Porteous and Dean Daffen replying for Rhinos.

A Brace apiece for Steve Winder and Stuart Gordon saw Ackworth edge home 4-3 against ISG Doncaster.

Askern Athletic recorded only their second victory of the season with a 5-2 win against Bawtry Town Reserves.

Jordon Gill and Robert Rowland both found the net twice and there was a single strike from James Andrews.

Dale Lattimore and Mark Wright shared out the Bawtry consolation goals.