Doncaster had already had to do without the injured Russell Earnshaw and Charlie Harrison but the late withdrawal of Rob Liley was a blow and caused a backs reshuffle that may have be the cause of gifting Bedford the softest of tries in the opening minutes. For the rest of this epic encounter, however, Doncaster gave every bit as good as they got from high flying Bedford on the day the latest phase of Castle Park’s ground development was opened. The Hesley Suite accommodates 50 for a meal and downstairs has bar, food point and toilets for spectators.
The game was only in the early settling stages when Alex Page spun off an attacking Bedford scrum to find no defender to prevent his simple score, to which Mark Harris added with ease to give Bedford the dream start. Page and Harris were neither to last long – both were off with shoulder injuries in the first quarter but this showed no sign of weakening a very efficient and effective Blues team who are arguably the best organised in the division. They spent the next period trying to increase that lead with centre Liam Roberts twice making dangerous breaks but the home defence soaked up the pressure before beginning to assert themselves, and it was no surprise when the scores were tied on 25 minutes. Simon Grainger had come close on the right after Ngalu Tau’s powerful thrust and offload but when quickly recycled ball came to Jon Boden in his unaccustomed role at fly half, he had the vision to see the opportunity of a well weighted cross kick to where Ryan Peacey was positioned to catch and beat the defender to the line. Boden’s conversion sailed over and the battle was really on. James Rothwell was twice threatening: Donovan Van Vuuren seemed to relish the attacking opportunities from full back: Mike Wood intercepted but lacked the conviction to go the distance himself: a close in line out drive looked fruitful but the ball was carelessly spilled; and Boden failed with two kickable penalties in the half that would have given a deserved home lead. It had been a cracking half of rugby.
More backs’ rearrangement at the break, when Van Vuuren was replaced with a popped rib may have contributed to another soft Bedford try immediately after the restart. In their first attack, fly half Ali Hepher waltzed through a big gap off slow ruck ball for a second gifted try that made the home task that much more difficult. The gap was reduced minutes later when Boden was obstructed chasing his own chip over the defence and his 45 metre kick just made the crossbar, but Bedford were back in the ascendancy and two tries in ten minutes before the hour saw them stretch to 10-24. First Hepher chipped the defence for Liam Richards to break clear and the move was completed by neat finishing by winger Craig Moir. Hepher converted and shortly after created a try for other winger Paul Kendal with a replica of Doncaster’s first half try as the cross kick beat the despairing Rothwell. The home side regrouped, though, and a long series of phases and retained possession saw them work upfield to put pressure of Bedford’s defence. When their discipline broke, and Tonga’Uhia was yellow carded for a team offence, the penalty chance saw the kick to the corner and after another series of close in drives, Grainger was credited with the score as yet another surge drove over in the left corner. Boden’s splendid kick got the home side within seven for a bonus point but try as they did, that was it. Two soft tries had cost what might have been a famous win but the team made their point that they are now a competitive force in National One and moved up one place to tenth in doing so.
Next week they face the long trip to Exeter, and are away again the week after at Coventry, before hosting Harlequins on Sunday 12 February. The club anticipate a sell out for that game with advance ticket sales well ahead of expectation and are urging fans to buy in advance whilst they can..
Doncaster: D Van Vuuren (D Murray 40), M Wood, J Cannon, N Wakley, J Rothwell, J Boden, L Lane, S Bunting (R List 66), S Boden (J Roddam 47), N Tau (S Barretto 56), G Kenworthy, D Cook, R Peacey, S Grainger, D Montagu.
Bedford: M Harris (K Hallett 23), C Moir, L Roberts, T Luke, P Kendall, A Hepher, A Page (D Malone 10), M Volland (Tonga’Uhia 48), C Johnson, J Brooks, J Phillips, A Brenton, N Strauss, C Rainbow (A Kettle 56) S Brady.
Referee: D Newitt (RFU)
Attendance: 1177 |
