The Knights fought back to earn two points from a narrow 31-29 defeat to Coventry in an entertaining match at the Butts Park Arena.

Doncaster started the first half in blistering fashion with Colin Quigley driving over after several pick and goes to score his first try of the season and give Doncaster the lead as Dougie Flockhart converted.

After that early spell of pressure faded, it was Coventry that took the ascendancy with three successful penalties. Robert Knox scoring two from just over the halfway, while William Maisey managed his from inside the Doncaster 22.

However, with 10 minutes left of the half, the Knights began to swing the balance of the game in their favour. After a period of sustained pressure, Ollie Stedman scored his second try in as many games after a rolling maul to give Doncaster a 9-12 lead at the interval.

The Knights did have the chance to extend their lead just before half-time with several pick and goes close to the Coventry try line. Charlie Foley coming the closest, as he made a great dummy, but was adjudged to have knocked the ball on as he stretched over.

It was the home side that started the second half with an improved intensity as the Knights spent much of the game after the interval in their own side of the pitch.

Coventry took advantage of having more men with Robin Hislop receiving a yellow card three minutes after half time, the Blues and Whites scoring their first try of the afternoon to make it 14-12.

The Knights retook the lead on 62 minutes with a well hit penalty from Dougie Flockhart. However, the winger was then branded a yellow card a minute later for a high tackle.

The home side took further advantage with an overload down the right with Bulumakau dotting down to make it 19-15 with the conversion missed.

Another two tries were scored by the West Midlands side as the Knights were pinned back, however their fighting spirit shown through in the latter stages of the match.

Firstly, Flockhart made a superb interception, after returning to the pitch, he was tackled just metres from the try line, but was supported by Will Owen. The centre dotting down for his third try in the Championship Cup, with Flockhart converting.

Then a minute before the final whistle, Steve McColl intercepted a pass 60m out. The winger then offloaded to Cameron Cowell, who sprinted from inside his own half and dotted down to narrow Coventry’s lead. Flockhart converted to make the final score 31-29 and earn the Knights two points from a seemingly unlikely position just five minutes before.

Match Statistics

Knights XV: 15. Cowell 14. Flockhart 13. Creed 12. Owen 11. McColl 10. Foley 9. Seniloli(69’Dawson) 1. Hislop (65′ Jones) 2. Hunter(69′ Malcolm) 3. Quigley (65′ Sproston) 4. Tyrell (68’Challinor) 5. Eames 6. Stedman (30′ Jones (50′ Williams) 7. Hills © 8. Pitman

Replacements: 16. Malcolm 17. Williams 18. Sproston 19. Challinor 20. Jones 21. Dawson. 22. James

Tries: Quigley, Stedman, Owen, Cowell     Penalties: Flockhart Conversions: Flockhart 3

Yellow Card: Hislop, Flockhart

Coventry XV: 15. Stokes 14. J.Bulumakau 13. Knox 12.Fenner 11. Trimble 10. Maisey 9. Kessell 1. Beech 2. Nilsen 3. Boulton 4. Jubb 5. Oram 6. Makaafi 7. Ram 8. Faleafa

Replacements: 16. Tolmie 17. Gibbons 18. McNulty 19. Russell 20. Dawidiuk 21. White 22. Tuitu

Tries: Dawiduk, Bulumakau, Knox, Tuitupou Penalties: Knox 3 Conversions: Maisey

Yellow Card: Nilsen