Improving Bears downed by the Dons.
Going to Doncaster was never going to be easy for a Bears side yet to form into a cohesive unit, and the wet and slippery conditions made playing open flowing rugby even harder for both teams.
The Dons applied the early pressure, pinning Coventry in their own half, and after eight minutes took the lead, with the try being converted to make the score 6-0 to the home side.
The Bears conceded a couple of penalties as they struggled to gain a rhythm.
On 15 minutes, the Dons scored again, thanks to a stunning kick across the field which was carried over by Barnett. A conversion followed, not easy in the conditions and the score read 12-0.
This seemed to galvanise the Bears who looked threatening for the first time, but Doncaster held out and the play ebbed and flowed with no further points being added, the two sides being equal.
Half time Doncaster 12 Coventry Bears 0
Within a minute of the second half starting, JamahlHuntetook advantage of a loose ball and crossed over to open the Bears account. The conversion failed, so the score stood at 12-4.
More pressure followed from the away side with the Bears gaining penalties, and showing the kind of form they are capable of, but not quite being able to narrow the margin.
Having withstood a good ten minutes of this pressure, Doncaster rediscovered their form and crossed over for a try and conversion, making it 18-4, and beyond the Bears reach.
On the hour, Doncaster scored again, and 24-4 remained the final score thanks to some solid play by the Bears who never gave up, right until a last minute penalty when the hosts extended their lead by a further two points.
Final score Doncaster 26 Coventry Bears 4
After the match, Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang gave his verdict.
"It was always going to be a tough assignment today against a title favourite, away from home. Our focus was firmly on our own performance after some really honest conversations this week after the poor showing at Hunslet.
I thought we defended stoutly for the majority of the game, although by conceding 15 penalties we undid a lot of that good work.
This performance was a massive improvement though and one that, although we didn’t get the result, we can be proud of; especially considering the form we came into the game with and the injuries we have picked up in the previous couple of matches.
Keiran Sherratt was a clear man of the match for me, while Dan Gover was also impressive, as were Eddie Medforth and Matt Reid."
Man of the Match Kieran Sherratt sponsored by Hannah Kirchin (Bears Supporter)
Bears line up:
Will Roper
Hayden Freeman
Jason Bass
Eddie Medforth
Jamahl Hunte
Joe Prior
Charlie O'Mara
James Geurtjens
Billy Gaylor
John Aldred
Matt Reid (Captain)
Chris Barratt
Kieran Sherratt
Interchanges
Mikey Russell
Dan Gover
Alex Beddows
Zach Johnson
Next up the Bears take on Barrow Raiders in the opening home league game of the season next Sunday 12th March 3pm kick off at the Butts Park Arena
Admission is £12 Adults £10 Concessions £5 Youth under 12s are free