Pertemps
Bees utility back Dave Knight is counting down the days to the National League
One game at Doncaster on March 10.Knight, the Bees’ longest-serving player since his elder brother Paul defected to Moseley last summer, is currently restricted to a spectators’ role because of an eight weeks suspension imposed for a dangerous tackle against Waterloo earlier in the season.
The suspension was imposed by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel in November but Knight was able to continuing playing until the middle of last month because he lodged an appeal.
But the appeal panel ruled that the initial sentence was appropriate leaving Knight to count the days to when he will be allowed to play again.
“I am free to play again on March 6 but the Doncaster game on March 10 is the first game we have after I have completed my suspension,” Knight said.
“I’m counting down the days now and I can’t wait to play again. It’s only a couple more weeks so I’ve broken the back of it now.
“But I found it very difficult to start with. If you are injured I think you find it easier to accept that you can’t play.
“But when you are fit and able to train but not play on a Saturday then it’s much more difficult.
“I’m not a good spectator and I have found it difficult. When we played Plymouth Albion a couple of weeks ago and we scored four tries in the first half that was particularly hard. I wanted to get out there and join in.
“The fact that I have been able to train has been a big help. It’s meant that I have been able to enjoy the banter and keep involved with the boys.
“Steve Williams has also been very good at finding me things to do on match days which have kept me around the team. I’ve been looking after the kicking tee, carrying the water bottles and getting the energy drinks for the players which has kept me busy.”
Time may have dragged for Knight recently but until he was suspended he had enjoyed his rugby and a new position having been converted to a wing or centre from full-back to accommodate the arrival of loan signing Jon Goodridge from Gloucester.
“Seasons tend to go more quickly when you are winning and enjoying your rugby,” Knight said.
“Last season really dragged because we were losing regularly and we ended up finishing bottom of the table.
“But we’ve played some good rugby this season, we’re winning much more often and I’ve had the challenge of playing in a new position.
“I’d filled in at centre and wing occasionally in the past but I’ve been a regular full-back for the last ten years.
“But moving away from there has given my game a new dimension and made me a bit more versatile.”