Knights 29 Coventry 13
The Knights’ back line had a new look about it this week, with Wes Davies at full back, Brad Hunt at centre, Paul Bailey moved to one wing and Donovan Van Vuuren making his first start of the season on the other. At times they looked to have a real cutting edge about them and created chances regularly, but too often failed to finish off what they started. The week they do get their acts together, some team is going to be on the wrong end of a big score!
For once the Knights started well and Van Vuuren almost scored inside the first minute, but the opening try was quick coming anyway. An attacking line out, two mauls held up and then fast ball to the backs saw Mark Woodrow pick Spencer Davey’s angled run for the centre to burst through to score at the posts. Woodrow added the extras with ease and the Knights were on their way. It was 10 minutes before Coventry got into the home half, but when they did it was their turn to ask questions of the defence, and on 26 minutes from broken play Aaron Takarangi sent Sam Montague away for the levelling score, Ben Russell converting. The Knights’ reply was swift – from a midfield scrum, the backs moved quickly right and when Paul Bailey was shepherded close to touch he slipped an inside pass to Van Vuuren who came from the opposite wing to score wide out. Russell and Woodrow shared penalties before the break and the Knights went in with a five point lead.
Early second half pressure saw the Knights’ maul defended several times, not always legally, and Coventry then broke upfield to apply severe pressure at the other end. When an attacking 5m scrum saw them move the ball, Woodrow intercepted Russell’s pass under his posts and sprinted away the length of the field for the killer score, which he converted himself despite exhaustion! Russell got 3 points back after a line out offence but the only remaining issue of the day was whether the Knights could bag the bonus point try. They made hard work of it – three times knocks on at crucial moments spoiled attacks, and Bailey even managed to drop the ball over the line! Fijian Netani Talei had come on for his debut, and looked lively in broken play attacks; and Anthony Carter also debuted at full back late on, showing that he will add to Clive Griffiths’ options next weekend. Finally, on 72 minutes, the fourth try was forced when captain Jason Forster spun off a maul to dive into the left corner for his 10th in seven matches, and Woodrow did it justice with a magnificent touchline conversion.
There was time left for Van Vuuren to twice show what a high class winger he is. First, when Coventry’s winger Kurt Johnson was released on the right for what looked a certain score, Van Vuuren covered across to bring off the tackle of the season to prevent a certain try; and then moments later to feature in a break upfield when after a dazzling run through several bemused defenders only a despairing ankle tap tackle prevented him adding to the Knights total. Two brilliant cameo moments that the crowd will long remember.
Next Saturday the Knights make a first visit to Headingley for a match that could define their season. They will go in good heart after this win, and with a large travelling support.
Doncaster: W Davies, Bailey, Hunt (Carter 68), Davey, Van Vuuren, Woodrow, Jones (Benson 79), Bunting, Boden, Tau (T Davies 69), Kenworthy (O Cook 71), D Cook, Earnshaw, Forster, Wilson.
Coventry: Dorrian (Williams 52), Montague, Takarangi, Sanders (Binham 31), Johnson, Russell, James, Siviter Davies 4), Friswell (Protherow 50), Brits, Tonkin (Campton 58), Rheeders (Nimmo 50), T Johnson (Toft 50), O’Connor, W Johnson.
Referee: James Jones (WRU)
photo courtesy of Graham Beardsley |
