Knights fall short after storming comeback
BEDFORD fought off a mighty second half comeback by Doncaster to take the spoils at Goldington Road.
The Blues, playing in pink and green in aid of charity, opened up through scores for Lewis Robling and Dean Adamson and all was looking sweet as Will Hooley's pinpoint cross-field kick found Rich Lane in space on the right for the hosts' third.
This time Hooley slotted his conversion to move the Blues into a 17- point lead heading into the interval. But the second half belonged to Doncaster as they scored 28 points to come within a point of a draw.
“It was a massive win for us today,” said Blues prop Sean McCarthy. “Doncaster are always tough, and it was a really big battle upfront but it keeps our season rolling on with a five-point win. We want to keep building up as many points as possible ahead of Christmas.”
Doncaster began their comeback with a wellworked move rounded off by Will Ryan. Dougie Flockhart added the conversion skilfully in the blustery conditions.
Bedford responded and capitalised on a fine touchfinder from Hooley. The ball was worked well infield from the resulting lineout and Robling snaked his way out wide and audaciously offloaded to Adamson who flew in at the corner.
This only served to galvanise Donny further and, after a host of changes for both sides, Stevie McColl waltzed underneath the posts.
The Blues were starting to slip off tackles and the large paws of No.8 Josh Tyrell reached out to score Knights' third try, which Flockhart again converted.
The perfect finish was set up in the final minutes, as another sweeping move from the Blues found space on the left and Sean McCarthy, who was excellent all game, went in at the corner.
The match wasn't done, though. Matt Challinor scampered in during injury time and the conversion from Flockhart made it a nailbiting 29-28 – and there was still time for the visitors to restart and make their way up the pitch.
But a resolute Blues held them off to celebrate at the end. It was hard on the Knights who ended the game the better side and comfortably won the second half 28-12.
A disappointed Flockhart said: “The boys were up for this game after last week against Jersey.”
MATCH STATS…
TEAMS
BEDFORD BLUES: Lane 9, Coulson 7 (Strachan 44, 8), Elliott 7, Robling 9, Adamson 7 (Ellis 77), Hooley 9, Dickson 4 (Lennon 20, 8), McCarthy 9, Clare 8 (Fields 58, 7), Cooper 7 (Penny 58, 6), Taylor 7 (Carrick-Smith 58. 6), Flanagan 8, Curry 8, Buggea 7 (Rae 62, 7), Williams 7
DONCASTER KNIGHTS: McColl 7, Flockhart 6, Hayes 7, Clark 7, Wilson 7, Foley 7 (Morathe 60, 6), James 7 (Seniloli 62, 7), Hislop 7 (List 62, 6), Hunter 6 (Nelson 52, 7), Quigley 7 (Mullen 52, 6), Civetta 6, Challinor 8, Ryan 7, Hills 6, Tyrell 8 (Booth 62, 7) Not used: Eames, Booth
REFEREE: Adam Leal
ATTENDANCE: 2,671
Star man Lewis Robling – Bedford
