Coming as it did on the back of six straight defeats, the performance and subsequent fully deserved victory put the seal on a truly remarkable afternoon for Coventry at Castle Park. It also ended a run of three defeats against the Knights and brought a first ever win on the Yorkshire ground.

Once again team selection was severely hampered by injury and unavailability, Cov springing a major surprise for their followers by naming Brett Davey at fly half with Myles Dorrian moving to full back.

After weeks of major disappointment, right from the outset Coventry at Castle Park looked a totally different proposition. With the forwards competing in every phase with admirable gusto, the selection of Davey in the number 23 jersey gave the squad just what they needed, an assured performance for 50 the plus minutes Brett was on the field giving the side a lift in terms of experience, direction and know how.

Effectively though this truly was a total team performance, even though certain individuals did stand out, probably none more so than number eight Laurie Mc Glone who was immense. Right from the outset Cov competed with an assuredness which had been lacking recently, they looked sharp in attack and solid generally in defence as Doncaster tried many ways unsuccessfully to open them up.

It really was competitive stuff right from the outset and with some judicious kicking out of defence from both Brett Davey and Myles Dorrian, Donny were forced to attempt attacks from deep. Indeed one superb crossfield punt from Davey almost lead to Jack Cobden claiming the opening try. As it was Ben Russell was wide with a 39 metre penalty attempt before Rees edged the Knights in front on 18 minutes after Cov were penalised on their ‘’22’’.

Within five minutes however, Coventry, again in their red change strip, were in front, a lead they were to hold on to until just past half time. Good build up and handling on the right finally saw Kurt Johnson squeeze in at the right hand corner for his 5th try of the season, Russell’s wide angled conversion attempt just failing.

A despairing tackle on home scrum half Jones by Ben Russell just short of half time denied the hosts, Rees also missing a 35 metre penalty attempt.

5-3 to Coventry at the break, fully deserved , but surely third in the table Doncaster would come out firing more effectively. For a time they did, number eight Planchard driving over within four minutes of the re start for Rees to convert. Far from being overawed by the setback however, back came Cov, although it was not until the 69th minute that Ben Russell cut the deficit to just two points with a 22 metre penalty following offside.

To the delight of the visiting faithful however, from that point on it was simply all Coventry. Two minutes after the successful penalty , they were back in front with one of the best tries the side have scored all season. Keeping the ball alive well through several phases with Russell notably picking up a low pass which finally saw Darren Clayton storm in for the try, Russell judging the conversion perfectly as well as adding another penalty seven minutes later to put his side two scores clear.

More was to follow as right on 80 minutes, Jack Cobden stormed in confidently in the left hand corner, Russell adding the extras from the touchline. Right at the death, Doncaster did manage their second try as replacement prop Davies crossed, Woodrow this time converting, but it too little, too late to seriously worry a delighted Coventry.

A fully deserved win to cap an excellent team performance which overall should do wonders for morale and from which the squad can build.

Coventry. Myles Dorrian, Kurt Johnson, Donovan Sanders, Ben Russell (Capt), Jack Cobden, Brett Davey, Nathan Jones, Dai Maddocks, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Ollie Hodge, Ian Nimmo, Jamie Miller, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone.

Replacements; Ben Toft for Davey, Hendry Rheeders for Hodge, Mike Walls for Jones.

Not used. Ricky Whitehall, Rob Dugard, Lee Parry, Sam Montague.

Coventry. Tries; Kurt Johnson, Darren Clayton, Jack Cobden. Conversions; Ben Russell 2. Penalties; Russell 2

Doncaster; Tries Chris Planchard, Tom Davies. Conversions; Cerith Rees, Mark Woodrow. Penalty; Rees.