By Coventry Rugby 
by Alex Didlick
Coventry showed real grit at Castle Park, pushing Doncaster all the way in a dramatic clash decided only in the final play. In torrential conditions, both sides battled ferociously, and Coventry created plenty of opportunities through determined, enterprising play. Though a few handling slips in the wet and some tight moments went against them, it was a contest that could easily have gone their way.
Under the lights Doncaster made the faster start. An early obstruction call handed the hosts field position, and moments later George Roberts slid over from a well-drilled maul following a failed Cov lineout on their own five-metre line.
Despite the weather, Coventry began to grow into the contest. A break from David Opoku-Fordjour nearly produced their first score, only for the ball to fall loose in the greasy conditions. Cov stayed on the front foot, but a string of knock-ons repeatedly halted their momentum, allowing Doncaster to clear their lines.
A Doncaster error gifted Coventry a scrum deep in the home 22, and Morgan Adderly-Jones burst through with a brilliant dummy and step – only for the ball to bounce loose as he reached for the line. Another huge let off for Doncaster. A running theme was developing at Castle Park.
The next ten minutes were cagey, but again Coventry enjoyed the better territory and tempo. Yet it was Doncaster who struck next. A solid scrum in midfield released Russell Bennett, who slipped through two tackles before accelerating into the backfield to double the lead. Clinical finishing from a side that had barely seen the ball.
Coventry finally found reward for their pressure when a powerful maul saw Jack Shine crash over. Minutes later, sharp handling sent the ball wide for Opoku-Fordjour to finish brilliantly and level the contest at 14–14.
Both sides went into the break on equal footing – though Coventry knew well that tidier hands would have seen them in control of the match.
The second half began with Doncaster nudging ahead through a Bennett penalty, but Coventry responded swiftly. Tom Bacon sparked the attack with another line break, and from the resulting platform a trademark maul saw captain Jordon Poole touch down to give Cov their first lead of the afternoon.
Doncaster, to their credit, punched back. A superb break from Joe Margetts put Cov under pressure, and after a spell of fierce defending – which included a yellow card for Aristot Benz-Salomon following persistent infringements – Coventry finally forced a knock-on to survive the storm.
Even with fourteen men, Cov fought superbly. Every Doncaster error was celebrated, every defensive set cheered by the travelling supporters. They rode out the sin-bin period without conceding, entering the final quarter with a slender lead still intact.
But errors crept in. Mathews failed to find touch from a penalty, allowing Doncaster another spell in Cov territory, though the greasy ball again spared the visitors.
Then came the decisive blow. With seconds left, a Doncaster scrum on the Coventry side of halfway was worked sharply, Will Wootton broke free, and Bennett arrived on his shoulder. Juggling the ball all the way to the line, he eventually secured it and scored under the posts for his second of the day- stealing the match at the death.
In a match dominated by rain, and fine margins, Coventry walk away knowing this was one that slipped through their fingers. Their physicality, defensive resolve and moments of attacking brilliance were all on show, but handling errors and missed opportunities proved their undoing. With a week to reset, Rae’s side will look to turn performances into results as they prepare for the London Scottish at home next week.
Man of the match: One player stood out from the first whistle to the last: Tom Bacon. Under relentless pressure from a stream of high balls launched by Doncaster, he was close to faultless in the air, showing superb composure in brutal conditions. Even after absorbing a couple of heavy collisions as the Knights tried to energise their home crowd, Bacon never wavered.
With ball in hand he was just as impressive – positive, sharp, and constantly probing for openings. His carries repeatedly lifted Coventry up the pitch and his decision-making in the backfield was outstanding throughout.
Goal kicking
Tommy Mathews- 3/3
Russel Bennett- 4/4
Try Scorers:
Coventry Rugby- Jack Shine (30’), David Opoku Fordjour (35’), Jordon Poole (48’)
Doncaster Rugby- George Roberts (4’), Russel Bennett (27’, 80’)
Line-ups:
Coventry Rugby- Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole (c), Eliot Salt, Jack Shine, Senitiki Nayalo, Chester Owen, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong, Josh Barton, Tommy Mathews, Peter Sullivan, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Oli Morris, David Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Bacon
Finishers: Murray Davidson, Aristot Benz-Salomon, Matt Johnson, Dan Green, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Sam Maunder, Api Bavadra, Ewan Baker
Doncaster Rugby- Logovi’I Mulipola, George Roberts, Joe Jones, Ehize Ehizode, Morgan Jones, Ben Murpphy, Rhys Tait, Jasper McGuire, Ollie Fox, Russel Bennett, Matt McNab, Joe Margetts, Zach Kerr, Aidan Cross, Jordan Olowofela
Finishers: Fred Davies, Conor Davidson, Lewis Thieda, East Timor Viliamu, Ben Chapman, Josh Bainbridge, Will Wootton, Morgan Bunting
