Doncaster Knights 24 Bedford Blues 29: Frazier card proves crucial

In the pack, injured hooker Steve Lawrie was replaced by Steve Boden and Andy Wright was given a run out ahead of right wing Dougie Flockhart.

Bedford lock Tupai and Knight's centre Gidlow were soon yellow-carded and Knights fly half Tristan Roberts had to leave the field for treatment after what appeared to be a clumsy tackle.

Roberts's temporary absence caused full-back Steve McColl to move to fly-half and, almost with his first touch of the ball, he scored a good individual try.

Roberts struck a penalty before Bedford scored two tries down the left flank by full-back Ed Thrower.

Roberts and Blues captain James Pritchard exchanged penalties before the latter crashed through two tackles to score a converted try wide out.

Two penalties from Roberts and another from Bedford came before visiting centre Owen Farrell reduced his side's deficit after 62 minutes.

Knights prop Dan Frazier was yellow-carded and Farrell's second penalty brought the difference down to two points. The Blues' winning score came from a try by fly-half Miles Dorrian, converted by Farrell with 10 minutes left.

Knights coach Lynn Howells said that he was pleased with the improvement that his young side was making.

Doncaster Knights: McColl, Wright (Flockhart 55), Briers, Gidlow, Williams, Roberts (Flockhart 7 – 12), Hallam, Frazier (Corsar 74), Boden, Cusack (Thiede 76), Kenworthy (Parsosn 62), Craig, Boyde, Jackson, Cochrane. Unused: Doughty, Walker, Goss.

Bedford Blues: Thrower, Schmidt (Short 60), Pritchard (Farrell 60), Bedford, Dodge, Dorrian, Veenendaal, Ovens (Boulton 45), Clarke (Richmond 55), Seal, Tupai, Tomes (Gillanders 55), Rae, Goodman, Wray (Fraser 50). Unused: Chudley.