Doncaster hit fifty to halt Blues in tracks

By GUY WILLIAMS

Doncaster Knights ……..50pts

Tries: Cardew 8, Kelly 25, 66; Smith 34, Ehizode 39, Edgson 47, Holling 80

Conversions: Olver, 8, 25, 34, 39, 47, 66

Penalties: Olver 59

Bedford Blues ………………19pts

Tries: Adamson 11, Arthur 28, French 55

Conversions: Maisey 11, 28

Doncaster recovered strongly from last week's performance at Nottingham by producing their best display of the season so far to overwhelm one of the form sides in the Championship who had won their previous three matches.

The Knights beat Bedford convincingly by seven tries to three in a contest that was surprisingly one sided, not least because the Blues were so ill-disciplined.

They conceded 21 penalties and four yellow cards against flankers Huw Taylor and Jac Arthur, prop Joseph Conway and winger Sean French who'd earlier scored Bedford's third try.

Doncaster coach Steve Boden was delighted with the response to last week's 30-15 defeat. He said: “The most pleasing aspect was that we stopped Bedford, the most dangerous attacking team in the league, getting a try bonus point.

“Our scrum and lineouts were good but we still have plenty to do because some of Bedford's points were really soft.

“Their 19 points were scored too easily.”

In a powerful, aggressive effort from the pack, Doncaster dominated possession and territory, but a lack of concentration enabled Bedford to score two fine first half tries.

First winger Dean Adamson dashed over following a thrilling break and then a kick through from full-back George Hendy in response to the opening try to Jared Cardew.

Doncaster, leading 14-7 after John Kelly scored, then lost a line-out near their line and were also penalised which set up a tap and go attack by Arthur who burst over, and with fly-half Will Maisey converting, Bedford were level at 14-all.

From then on, though, Doncaster's pressure increased, so much so that their pack, driven on by lock Ehize Ehizode, starting a league game for the first time since his move from London Scottish and flanker Thom Smith, gained plenty of ball in promising positions.

How about that: George Edgson shows his delight as he scores for Knights

PICTURE: Gareth Lyons

Indeed, both smashed their way over; Smith's try on 34 minutes and Ehizode's in the 39th provided the Knights with a deserved 28-14 half-time advantage.

The second half belonged to Doncaster as their pack repeated their control with authoritative displays, exemplified by Ehizode and No.8 Kelly who'd been switched from the second row.

They were not alone, and with Bedford regularly upsetting the referee, Hamish Smales, who sinbinned Conway, Arthur and French on 46, 73 and 79 minutes, Doncaster's forwards capitalised on the Blues' understrength.

Hooker George Edgson was driven over for the fifth, Kelly charged over, adding the sixth, and then right at the climax, after Bedford gave away their 21st penalty, Doncaster's pack smashed their way through from a line-out to complete the rout.

The Knights' victory was also made possible by accurate goal-kicking from fly-half Sam Olver who struck six conversions and a penalty.