Knights defeat Cov with superb second half come back
10th May 2025
Doncaster Knights defeat Coventry 38-24 with a superb second half comeback.
It was a slow start for the Knights as Coventry came out the blocks strongly. The visitors opened the scores just four minuites in with their number 8, Nayalo showing impressive power to drive over. They added the conversion to go 0-7 up.
Shortly after, Alex Dolly kept the Knights in the game by slotting three points and closing the scores. 3-7
Coventry came back fighting, using the power of their forwards again to drive over the line for a second score. Another conversion put them 3-14 up.
The Knights continued to fight and Telusa Veainu displayed his notorious footwork, allowing him to weave in and out of Coventry’s defenders. He chucked the ball backwards for Dolly to scoop up and dive over under the posts. Dolly added the extras to his own try, scoring all 10 of Doncaster’s first points, 10-14.
Coventry slotted a penalty and carried that momentum into another score. Their final try before the half time whistle was intercepted from under the Knight’s noses and carried the length. They added the extras 10-24.
Half time score Doncaster 10 – 24 Coventry.
Donny came out to the second half with fantastic energy, a scrum penalty from the pack allowed Russell Bennett to kick us up to the 5m line. The forwards then put in another big shift as a dominant driving maul made its way over the line. Coventry were penalised for illegally bringing down the maul, meaning Doncaster were awarded all 7 points in the form of a penalty try. 17-24.
With the Knights now within a converted try, they continued to display really threatening attack. Captain, Ben Murphy made an unbeliveable carry, charging nearly 10m forward with Coventry players hanging off him. In the next phase, Bennett kicked a well placed cross-field to Obi Ene, who made a fantastic run up the wing before finishing in the corner. Dolly slotted a really crucial conversion from the touchline to level the scores. 24-24.
Doncaster’s next try followed almost instantly as Rokoduguni offloaded nicely to Jordan Olowofela. Olowofela put boot to ball and Zach Kerr chased it down, sliding over the line with the ball. Another good conversion from our scrum half. 31-24.
The Knights started to play with little to no errors and Veainu kicked an impressive 50:22 to give Doncaster a line out inside the 22. The set peice was spotless and the back line moved the ball quickly out to Olowofela on the wing, who ducked under Coventry’s defence to score. Dolly converted again, 38-24.
Coventry continued to fight back in the attempt to earn a bonus point, but Doncaster defended brilliantly. Archie Smeaton turned the ball over at the breakdown to keep the Knights on the front foot, and eventually our replacement hooker Ben Chapman kicked a 50:22 with the clock in red, securing the Knights their 9th concecutive win.
Congratualtions to our man of the match, Ben Murphy, for superb defence, dominant carries and his all important leadership.
Another big test awaits the Knights next week as they travel to face Hartpury away, but they return to Castle Park in a fortnight for our all important 150th anniversary game against Cornish Pirates.
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