Bedford Blues 31 Doncaster Knights 33: Roberts ensures Doncaster claim their revenge
In winning at Goldington Road, the Knights proved yet again that, on their day, they are capable of beating every team in the Championship, scoring five tries to four in the process.
There was only one change for Knights with fit-again Scottish A hooker Steve Lawrie coming in on rotation in place of Steve Boden.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Knights played up the infamous slope and into the breeze and Blues full-back Edd Thrower crossed for a try that was converted by Canadian international James Pritchard.
Knights lost talismanic lock Glen Kenworthy with a leg injury and centre Tom Bedford crashed over wide out for a try that Pritchard again converted.
Knights hooker Lawrie drove over for a try that fly-half Tristan Roberts converted after a move which led to scrum-half Nathan Jones stretchered off injured.
After 33 minutes, Knights flanker Neil Cochrane was yellow carded and Bedford No 8 Chris Goodman crashed over for a try that Pritchard converted.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdStill the Knights fought back and No 8 Ed Jackson picked up from a scrum and made ground before linking up with replacement scrum-half Craig Hampson, who sent in full-back Steve McColl for a try that was converted by Roberts.
Turning around 21-14 down and with youngster Dom Parsons on at lock in place of the injured Matt Challinor, the Knights soon went further behind when Pritchard’s kick bounced into the arms of centre Miles Dorian, who scored the converted try.
Back to full strength, Knights attacked and centre Andy Wright stepped inside four defenders before linking with prop Dan Frazier, who scored by the posts to give Roberts an easy conversion.
Bedford held out for the next 20 minutes before replacement centre Chris Briers scored with his first touch.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRoberts missed the conversion and Pritchard struck a penalty but with less than 10 minutes left, Knights won a lineout and drove over for a try credited to Parsons. Roberts’s conversion put the Knights into a lead they would not relinquish.