Bedford 47 Doncaster 17
Doncaster return with the blues
Doncaster’s first trip to Goldington Road ended in the blues as a strong first half down the slope performance ran out of steam in the later stages and seven tries were conceded in total. Life in National One is, as expected, very different to previous existences but the signs remain that a competitive pack is in place but that the absence of first choice backs has so far been critical. Donavan Van Vuuren did make his season’s debut and was on the score sheet within five minutes as Doncaster’s early pressure created the chance for him to cut back inside to score at the posts. John Benson added the extras and the visitors stunned the home support with a good spell of rugby. The scores were tied ten minutes later when fly half Ali Hepher crashed over after fast ball off an attacking line out, with Mark Harris converting – but the scales then tipped the wrong way when first Dan Cook had a yellow card for joining a ruck from the side after being warned: Jonny Roddam‘s hip injury forced his early replacement; and then a penalty try was awarded for allegedly diving into a defensive scrum when the general view was that the ball had already crossed the line. James Rothwell then had to leave the fray with a hamstring pull and side was in some disarray at this point. One highlight was a storming 50 metre run upfield by lock Ed Norris, which reignited the side and a build up of pressure had the look of a second Doncaster try on the way as the break approached. However, an attacking scrum saw Ollie Cook pick up but his pop pass was intercepted by scrum half Alex Page who raced the length of the field to score with Jon Boden and Brad Hunt unable to catch him. Half time at 19-7 had the feel of misfortune to it – and the slope to play up for the second half.
Benson did reduce the arrears early on with a penalty, but it was no time before the impressive Bedford backs began to cut loose. Winger John Hankin and then centre Emyr Lewis both scored, with Harris converting both, to open a decisive gap and secure the bonus point. Then Lewis was over again before Harris bagged one himself and with the board ticking up by seven each time, the gap looked large. To Doncaster’s credit they never gave up and did manage one try of their own late in the game when they had a spell on the Bedford line, forcing a succession of penalties to be conceded before Jon Benson sneaked over for a try in the corner which he converted. It will be a long season for Pieter Muller’s men until his backs are bolstered, and if injuries keep being picked up at this rate. With Exeter to come next week at Castle Park (2.30pm), it doesn’t get any easier and bottom place in the league table and the only side not to have picked up a point so far is very unfamiliar territory. With two successive home games ahead (Coventry follow Exeter) it becomes very important to start winning games!
Bedford: Harris, Moir, Allen, Lewis, Hinkins, Hepher (Malone 60), Page,Tongauia (Ross 66), Johnson (Graham 66), Brooks, Comb (Paramore 54), Philips, Strauss, Harding (Taylor 74), Bradley (Brenton 60).
Doncaster: Boden, Van Vuuren, Hunt, Murray, Rothwell (Ligairi 31), Benson, Lane (Harrison 49), Bunting (Davies 69), Roddam (Plevey 26), Barretto (List 60), D Cook (Rule 69), Norris, Grainger, Earnshaw, O Cook (Montagu 40).
Referee: C. Sharp (RFU) |
