Pertemps Bees 29 Doncaster 31
Any issues surrounding Bees unregistered players were rendered academic as Doncaster secured the bonus point win they came for in a nail biting finish that saw Donovan Van Vuuren level the scores with an injury time try; and Rob Liley kick the winning conversion with the last act of his illustrious career. Last week he topped the 1000 point mark for Doncaster: this week he reached 2000 league points in his career. Finding a top class ten to replace him will be top of Doncaster’s summer task list.
With John Cannon, Brad Hunt and Mike Wood all out injured, and Simon Grainger having had knee surgery midweek, the Doncaster line up had an unfamiliar look to it but John Boden’s value to the club was again in evidence as he became the only player to play all 26 league games this season, this time as a centre. After Grove had put the Bees ahead with an early penalty, Liley’s intentions were made clear by his refusal of three kickable awards, instead going to touch. Each subsequent maul was defended illegally and Miles was an early Bees visitor to the sin bin. From the third assault a pushover try was claimed by Dan Montagu, Liley added the extras and Doncaster were on their way. A second try arrived on 25 minutes when Oliver Cook burst two tackles to score, Liley’s touchline conversion extending the lead. Then against the run of play, Bees won a scrum against the head, the ball squirted out and centre Knight was able to pick up and run unopposed for a surprise score that Grove converted to narrow the gap to just four points. Before the break, Cook scored his second wide on the right after a sweeping passing movement, and again Liley drilled the kick from the touchline. At 10-21 things looked comfortable for Doncaster.
After the interval Orgee was very fortunate to receive just a yellow card for kicking Cook, who had to be replaced by Dan Storey. Rob Liley's penalty extended the lead. The Bees then had their best spell of the match and their own moment of history arrived when Nick Baxter claimed his 150th career try. This was followed by a try by prop Le Chevallier after a line out catch and drive, which Grove converted to bring the Bees within two points. With eight minutes remaining, they then took the lead! Doncaster were attacking in the Bees ’22 when the move broke down and Walsh gathered to run upfield. Grove carried it on and when faced with the last defender passed back to Walsh who scored at the posts. Grove’s extras now had the Bees five points ahead. Back came Doncaster, determined not to spoil the Liley retirement party, and John Boden’s 50 metre break was stopped just inches short of the line. With three minutes of overtime on the clock, a midfield scrum saw Dan Montagu break blind to feed Van Vuuren and there was no stopping him reaching the line to tie the scores. Up stepped Liley from half way out to calmly secure the lead in trademark style. The game wasn’t over though – and Bees last assault saw Walsh try a drop goal that drifted inches wide. Doncaster have had a roller coaster first season in National One but ended strongly and their 52 points is the best haul of any of the previously promoted sides in their first season. A couple more bonus points would have seen them end in the top half of the table but there is satisfaction enough in matching Otley’s haul. The focus now is on the appointment of a new Director of Rugby and the strengthening of the squad to be a competitive force in the top half of the table next season.
Pertemps Bees: Takarangi, Grove Knight D, Davies, Gill (Baxter 40), Walsh, Knight P, Le Chevallier, Miles, Lewis, Davidson, Walton, Orgee, Gerry, Matthews.
Doncaster: Benson, Cook (Storey 50), Murray, Boden J, Van Vuuren, Liley, Harrison, Bunting (List 64), Boden S (Roddam 72), Tau, Kenworthy, Norris (Rule 64), Earnshaw, Peacey (Poskitt 80), Montagu.
Referee: T. Beddow (RFU) |
