Winless streak can't take positives away for Doncaster Knights' Hills

Doncaster, who travel to second-placed Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday and entertain leaders Bristol a week later, took three points from last weekend’s 25-25 home draw with Bedford Blues.

A late converted try denied what would have been a deserved victory and Hills felt the result proved they can match the top teams.

Bedford went into the game in third place and Hills said: “We got ourselves in a position for five points and unfortunately we had a last-minute try against us, similar to the Richmond game. But the point for us was to play better rugby and have a better performance going forward now into two tough games.

“We have got to take the positives from it. It was disappointing and there’s a lot for us to look at, but we have taken a step in the right direction after a couple of tough weeks.”

Doncaster out-scored Bedford by four tries to three and were on top for most of the game.

“It’s a shame the first and last 10 minutes let us down,” added Hills. “Discipline hurt us both times. The first was midfield discipline, a kick to the corner and we were under pressure.

“With a team like Bedford if you give them chances like that they will score. It was the same at the end, three penalties in a row and you are under the cosh, but the heart the boys showed to defend as well as they did, you can’t argue with that. That’s the DNA this team’s got and we will improve week on week. That’s what we need to do now.”

Bristol – who won 44-14 at Yorkshire Carnegie last week –and Ealing are the Championship’s early pace-setters.

Nottingham are third after their win over Ealing on Sunday, with Bedford dropping to fourth and Doncaster remaining fifth.

Hills described Saturday’s trip south as a “massive game” and said: “We’ve had close games against them in the past and we know what a quality outfit they are.

“They have spent a lot of money and they’ve got a large squad and we know it will be tough.

“[Against Bedford] discipline put us under pressure twice and we conceded two tries in needless areas.

“We will work on that.”

“But that’s what rugby is; sometimes it is a 50-50 game and a penalty might look like it could go either way.

“You’ve got to take those decisions. We will work on it; we’ll try and reduce those penalties and give ourselves a better chance.”