Knights can see the daylight (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Knights can see the daylight

6:56pm Tuesday 23rd October 2007 in Rugby By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

BLACKBURN Knights chairman Don McCoombe insists the hard work going on off the pitch will eventually pay dividends on it.

While the Knights slipped to a disappointing home defeat against fellow strugglers Cherry Tree Panthers, McCoombe remains upbeat about the club's long term future.

"This is something of a building season for us because there has been a lot of upheaval at the club," said the Knights chairman who now play their games at the home of Blackburn RUFC.

"We've moved to a new ground, brought in a new coach and have recruited a lot of new players.

"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes but we now have a structure in place that can only be a good thing for the club in the long run."

Loose forward Lee Rogers ran in two tries for a depleted Knights side but could not prevent Panthers leap-frogging them at the wrong end of Division Five.

But despite slipping to their fifth defeat in six outings, the mood in the camp remains upbeat.

"We always knew this was going to be a transitional period for us," said scrum half Dave Makin who kicked two conversions. "But the confidence amongst the players is good and it is to their credit they have accepted this move."

Despite their lowly position, Makin is confident Blackburn Knights can push for the top half of the table after Christmas.

"We still need more players but the squad is beginning to settle down now," added the 21-year-old.

"We have lost some games we could have won but I see no reason why we can't start pushing for the top half of the table in the second half of the season."

Anyone interested in joining Blackburn Knights can attend training at Ramsgreave Drive on Wednesdays from 8-9pm or contact chairman Don McCoombe on 07900 496796.