Tyas double helps give Coventry vital edge

COVENTRY’S encouraging season gathered pace at Castle Park where they won a highly competitive contest by seven tries to five as they earned their 12th league victory.

Doncaster, who’ve now lost their last three Championship matches, had to be content with two points, but this was a far better performance than the recent defeats by Bedford and Ampthill.

Coventry, scoring four first-half tries by forwards Senitiki Nayalo, James Tyas and Tom Ball, and winger Will Talbot-Davies, and then another three in the second from Tyas, flanker Josh Bainbridge and centre Lucas Titherington, played with plenty of pace.

“To get five points on the road is really pleasing and when we were hot, we were really hot, and when were cold, we let them back in,” said coach Alex Rae.

“Our off-loading and ability to move the ball in contact areas make us hard to defend against, and when we get it right, we are nice to watch.

“We had to ride a few storms but credit to our lads who saw the game out. Our skipper, Will Chudley, led us so well and James Tyas in the second row caught well in the lineout and his work rate around the field was excellent.”

Doncaster’s forwards showed total commitment and created lots of pressure, but a yellow card (foul play) against flanker Sam Hudson, who scored two tries, was expensive as in his absence Coventry touched down twice before half-time.

The Knights, 24-18 behind at the interval, fought back strongly and led 32-24 after Hudson’s second try, but their defence, a major problem recently, was too weak as their opponents enjoyed additional success in the second half, scoring tries on 56, 58 and 67 minutes.

Although suffering another Championship defeat, Doncaster scored one brilliant try immediately after the resumption when a flowing backs move involving Matt Olver, Maliq Holden and George Simpson created a thrilling score for centre Joe Margetts.

Coventry replacement prop Jake Bridges was yellow carded for a technical offence in the 75th, but his absence made no difference.

Doncaster coach Steve Boden said: “To score 39 points at Castle Park and then lose is not acceptable. Some of the tries conceded were extremely soft and easy.

“Coventry conceded so many penalties on their goal-line for the same offences and nothing came of it. I don’t understand some of the decisions.”