Coventry Bears 20 Doncaster RLFC 32: Improving Bears give Donny a real scare

Hull FC dual registration star Lafeta Paleaaesina proved the difference between the two sides at the Butts Park Arena.

Coventry Bears went down to a 32-20 defeat to Doncaster in their first ever meeting at the Butts Park Arena but not before another brave display.

The Bears are yet to beat to Northern-based side side since joining League One last year but for the second consecutive week they gave the South Yorkshire side a major scare before losing out.

Doncaster opened the scoring when Kyle Kesik sent Brad Nicholson over from close range to touch down. Tom Carr added the conversion from under the posts.

The Bears showed the same resilience as last week as they got themselves level when James Redman fired a fine pass out wide to Hayden Freeman who went over in the corner. Joel James couldn’t add the extras from the touchline.

Following this the Bears had their tails up and the running of back three Charlie O’Mara, Jason Bass and the aforementioned Freeman was proving a handful for the Dons.

The hosts almost took the lead in the 23rd minute, after some neat play Eddie Medforth looked certain to score, but he knocked on over the line much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

This would prove costly as Hull FC dual registration star Lafeta Paleaaesina barrelled through the Bears defence touch extend the visitors lead after Carr added the extras.

Within two minutes of Paleaaesina’s effort, Doncaster were over again, Jordan Howden put in a fine grubber kick, which was met by Tom Carr who timed his run to perfection to score his first try of the season. He converted his own try to ensure Doncaster had a 14 point lead at the break.

Bears drew first blood following the interval as Medforth touched down as the Dons failed to deal with a Redman kick with James adding the extras.

However, the Dons again kept the Bears out of scoring reach when Paleaaesina grabbed his second to bring the score to 24-10 in favour of the visitors.

The lead was extended further on 55 minutes when Sam Doherty took advantage of a knock-on to touch down.

Coventry hit back as impressive fullback Charlie O’Mara bounced through a Jason Tali tackle, resulting in the youngster scoring under the posts. James’ conversion saw the lead reduced to 12 points.

Nine minutes from time Coventry scored their fourth try of the afternoon. Some quick hands by the hosts saw Medforth go over for his second try of the game. James' kick was missed but Bears were within eight points.

However, Donny were to seal the points as Tali crossed with five minutes to go.

Coventry Bears: O’Mara, Freeman, Medforth, Miliszewski, Bass, James, Redman; Beddows, Lobwein, Morrison, Thompson, Barratt, Hughes.Subs: Geurtjens, Beecham, Batchelor, O’Sullivan.

Dons: Carr, Foggin-Johnston,Doherty, Tali, Sheriff, Howden, Delaney; Aizue, Kesik, Castle, B Nicholson, Walton,Scott. Subs: Cross, Paleaaesina, Braham, L Welham.

Referee: L Moore