Bedford Blues preview

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Bedford Blues preview Sept 27, 2021 8:29:00 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Sept 27, 2021 8:29:00 GMT

Bedford Blues preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)

Round 3, Goldington Road, ~~Saturday 2nd October~~ sorry Friday 1st October 7.45 KO

New signings include (chronologically as announced):
• Back Row Tui Uru from Northampton Saints. Uru was a core group of Saints players to link-up with the Blues last season
• Prop Josh Pieterse from Ealing Trailfinders
• Flanker Bailey Ransom from Newcastle Falcons
• Lock Alex Woolford from Coventry
• Hooker Will Biggs from Birmingham Moseley
• Back Row Ollie Steadman, ex-Knight who suffered a nasty ankle injury in February 2020, a great player
• Prop Osman Dimen, previously dual registered (D/R) with Leicester Tigers and Birmingham Moseley
• Loosehead Prop Joey Conway from Munster. Conway is an ex-Irish U20
• International Scrum Half Alex Day from Saracens (after a brief loan period in 2019)
• Lock Luke Frost from Nottingham
• Hooker Jack Hughes from Northampton Saints. Jack’s back after a short-term loan
• Wing Dean Adamson has re-signed after a year with French Pro D2 side Rouen
• Centre Frank Kelly from Luctonians Rugby Club (Nat. 1)

Bedford Blues and Northampton Saints continue their strategic partnership to formally co-operate on a few playing, coaching and training opportunities. They have already had ten of the young Saints prospects training with the Blues. It began last season and it saw a total of 16 Northampton players pulling on the Bedford jersey. Back Row Tui Uru and Hooker (or Prop) Jack Hughes have since signed full time for the Blues.

Blues duo Rich Lane and Joe Atkinson were named in the inaugural Championship Clubs Podcast Team of the Year last season.

The Blues kicked off their season with a couple of pre-season games against near neighbours Ampthill. On Saturday 28th August they travelled to Dillingham Park, they lost 40-38 in a 12-try game marred with ill-discipline. Ampthill were then welcomed to Goldington Road in Bedford on Saturday 11th September. Sandwiched between these fixtures was a game against Northampton Saints at Goldington Road on Friday 3rd September.

Pre-season results were:

Ampthill 40-38 – Bedford Blues.
Bedford Blues 21-40 Northampton Saints.
Bedford Blues 38–35 Ampthill.
Bedford Blues 47–33 Saracens Storm (play in the Premiership Rugby Shield). The Blues scored seven of the 12 tries scored in their “near faultless” victory. (https://bedfordrugby.co.uk)

Last Saturday was the Blues’ first league game because they had a bye the first weekend. The result was Jersey Reds 40-28 Bedford Blues. The Blues were losing 26-7 at half time and were down to 13 men after sir showed a couple of players the yellow card. The Blues were proud of their second half performance, which included receiving a league point after scoring four tries. Blues’ Winger Pat Tapley scored their only first half try after an easy sprint to the line from 40m in the first half. The second half saw three more tries scored. Firstly, quick hands through Oli Stedman and Oisin Heffernan released Matt Worley playing on the Wing to touch down. Oli Stedman then scored from a set piece and finally Blues’ Hooker Jack Hughes later crashed over from close range to score the bonus point. The consistently reliable boot of Fly Half Will Maisey converted each try to add a total of eight points to their score.

The Knights were the only one of five fully professional teams to lose in Round One but the fully professional Cornish Pirates lost 37-18 to Hartpury and Coventry lost at Ampthill 21-19 last Saturday.

The Knights travel to play on the infamous Goldington Road sloping pitch in front of a vociferous, understandably biased crowd against a team desperate to restore their pride after opening defeat. The Knights rectified their opening defeat of this campaign and instigated the fortress Castle Park reputation last Saturday.

Meanwhile elsewhere in the championship:

Nottingham v Hartpury
Pirates v Trailfinders
Coventry v Richmond
Scottish v Ampthill
Jersey Reds BYE

COYK

DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…

Last Edit: Sept 30, 2021 8:09:36 GMT by Jamie Crawford

martinc Director of Rugby Posts: 1,738	Bedford Blues preview Sept 30, 2021 7:55:30 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by martinc on Sept 30, 2021 7:55:30 GMT Just as an FYI - if any NHS employees are travelling for the Bedford game take your works ID badge and get in for free. Just show it at the gate when you queue for your match ticket

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Bedford Blues preview Sept 30, 2021 13:26:43 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Sept 30, 2021 13:26:43 GMT

Blues Team v Knights

“Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues prepare for their first Championship home game of the new campaign as Doncaster Knights ride into town under the Friday Night Lights (KO 7:45pm).

Save £4 by purchasing tickets online here.

Following a strong home record last season, Blues will again be looking to make Goldington Road a fortress but know a challenging test awaits them tomorrow night against Steve Boden’s side.

There are four changes to the starting side from last weekend’s trip to Jersey, with Tom Litchfield the only player to return to the backs division at inside centre in place of Ethan Grayson.

Rayer has been forced into two front-row changes as Will Biggs and Oisin Heffernan both miss out through injuries sustained at Stade Santander International. Jack Hughes and Corrie Barrett come into the Starting XV, while we also welcome Brandon Nansen into the [HASH]BluesFamily at second row, after joining on a short-term loan from Northampton Saints.

Biggs and Heffernan join Dean Adamson, Jacob Fields and Jordan Onojaife as the injury absentees.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Matt Worley, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Tom Litchfield, 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day; 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Jack Hughes, 3. Corrie Barrett, 4. Brandon Nansen, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Bailey Ransom, 7. Joe Atkinson, 8. Oli Stedman

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Josh Pieterse, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Ed Prowse, 19. Luke Frost, 20. Tui Uru, 21. Connor Tupai, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Ethan Grayson” (https://bedfordrugby.co.uk)

Last Edit: Sept 30, 2021 13:26:58 GMT by Jamie Crawford

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Bedford Blues preview Oct 1, 2021 10:31:09 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 1, 2021 10:31:09 GMT

From the RFU Championship Round Two Review.

JERSEY REDS 40 – 28 BEDFORD BLUES
Jersey marked their return to The Stade Santander International in style with a six-try win against Bedford Blues. After a cagey opening 15 minutes, Jersey broke the deadlock with a well-worked try, as Guy Thompson broke and found Lewis Wynne, who passed to Dan Barnes to score. With 25 minutes gone, Bedford got their first points of the season as Rich Lane collected a Jersey kick and fed Pat Tapley, who flew over in the corner. Jersey restored their lead through a penalty try as Oli Stedman was sent to the sin bin and extended their lead further when Reds flyer Ryan Olowofela darted over for Jersey’s third against his old club. With seconds remaining in the first half, the Reds wrapped up the bonus point, with hooker James Flynn crashing over from a driving maul to put Harvey Biljon’s side into a commanding 26-7 lead at the break. Bedford responded 10 minutes into the second half when Matt Worley finished off a slick move involving Stedman and Heffernan, and then followed that up minutes later with a third try when Tapley was dragged down just short of the line and Stedman stretched over to finish off from close range. With 20 minutes left to play and Jersey holding onto a five-point lead, the hosts elected to kick to the corner, a gamble that paid off when Eoghan Clarke powered over from the resulting driving lineout. Bedford never gave up and were rewarded when Jack Hughes crossed to secure a try bonus point after Louis Grimoldby had kicked the visitors into an attacking position from a penalty. The last word, though, went to Jersey, when Clarke barrelled over from another lineout drive with five minutes to go to seal the win and put the Reds at the top of the Championship with two wins from two.

The Knights must be wary of giving possession away with kicks because they have been exploited by Rich Lane feeding flying winger Pat Tapley to score. Tapley almost scored again, so a player to be wary of but we are aware of Oli Stedman’s finishing. The Blues were unlucky to score four tries, therefore a try bonus point and lose!
Blues scorers: Tapley, Worley, Stedman, Hughes

Nottingham welcome Hartpury Uni to The Bay at the same time as the Knights play at Goldington Road.

COYK

Last Edit: Oct 1, 2021 10:31:52 GMT by Jamie Crawford

Jamie Crawford Director of Rugby Posts: 1,859	Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 7:35:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 2, 2021 7:35:48 GMT Friday Results Bedford Blues 31 – 23 Doncaster Knights Nottingham 22 – 20 Hartpury University
	Last Edit: Oct 2, 2021 7:36:38 GMT by Jamie Crawford

martinc Director of Rugby Posts: 1,738	Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 13:19:28 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by martinc on Oct 2, 2021 13:19:28 GMT Lacked clear decision making, stuck to plan A no mix it up strategy, the right team won on the night

Jamie Crawford
Director of Rugby

Posts: 1,859

Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 14:47:33 GMT

Quote

Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 2, 2021 14:47:33 GMT

Thanks Martin.

Review by Yorkshire Post,

“Bedford Blues 31 Doncaster Knights 23: Late penalties leave beaten Knights empty-handed
Doncaster Knights fought hard at Goldington Road last night but lost for the second time in the Championship as they were beaten by three tries to two in an entertaining and highly competitive game.
By Guy Williams

The Knights were unfortunate not to earn a losing bonus point and were prevented from doing so by a late penalty from Bedford fly-half Will Maisey.
Doncaster started promisingly as flanker John Kelly and winger Jack Spittle threatened, but it was Welsh winger Kyle Evans who almost scored after seven minutes following a burst by back row forward and captain Sam Graham.
However, Evans was tackled into touch a few metres from Bedford’s line.
Despite this aggressive opening, Bedford opened the scoring in a close contest with two penalties from fly half Will Maisey, punishing Doncaster’s mistakes.
But the Blues’ 6-0 lead was cut to 6-3 when the accurate goal kicking of fly half Sam Olver put over a penalty.
The pack drove to Bedford’s line and after several raids, prop Gaz Denman smashed his way over, and with Olver converting, Doncaster seized a 10-6 lead.
Bedford fought back through winger Pat Topley who grabbed the ball after hesitant defending, but Doncaster’s pack then created pressure on Bedford’s line resulting in scrum-half Alex Dolly shooting over for the teams’ second try. Olver’s second conversion stretched the lead.
The second half began badly for Doncaster as Bedford’s attack set up a thrilling try for full back Rich Lane. Maisey’s conversion now put Bedford one point ahead at 18-17.
The Midlanders maintained the pressure and with more ball won a line-out which created a third try-this time for replacement forward Tui Uru, and with Maisey converting again, Doncaster fell further behind at 25-17. The Knights, though, are resilient and reduced the gap to 25-20 once Olver’s penalty went over. Olver struck again with another penalty-slashing Bedford’s advantage to only 25-23.
But Doncaster’s chances disappeared as Maisey put over two penalties.”

isleonian Manager Posts: 989	Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 15:03:34 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by isleonian on Oct 2, 2021 15:03:34 GMT Sadly simply not good enough, such a crying shame!

isleonian Manager Posts: 989	Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 15:04:23 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by isleonian on Oct 2, 2021 15:04:23 GMT Sadly simply not good enough, such a crying shame!

Sean O'Loinsigh
Water Boy

Ní neart go cur le chéile

Posts: 199

Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 15:22:39 GMT

Quote

Post by Sean O'Loinsigh on Oct 2, 2021 15:22:39 GMT

Very much enjoyed last nights game with some good rugby from both sides. I felt the Knights left some important points on the pitch in the first half and failed to see the gaps for the backs when the forwards were close to scoring on the line after many attempts. Knights are definitely improving in every game so, despite the loss, I can see the promise.

The Bedford crowd needs a mention. They were pretty quiet at the start of the game but they certainly turned up the sound in the second half and their support was as good as an extra player on the pitch and helped with the win I am sure.

Last Edit: Oct 2, 2021 16:35:13 GMT by Sean O'Loinsigh

Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution

wildbill
KORT

Posts: 1,066

Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 17:37:52 GMT

Quote

Post by wildbill on Oct 2, 2021 17:37:52 GMT

I agree with you Sean. Our recycling of the ball was good but we were not able to make the clinical finish that we needed. It may be that we need an old head at those times to make sure of the score. The team is full of youthful enthusiasm, which I cannot fault. It will come good. The Bedford crowd make a big difference. I dont know how many were there, I estimated 2500, a number Steve Lloyd and Tony De Mulder ( who were both there) would love to attract to Castle Park.

Two heads are better than one!!

wildbill
KORT

Posts: 1,066

Bedford Blues preview Oct 2, 2021 19:31:03 GMT

Quote

Post by wildbill on Oct 2, 2021 19:31:03 GMT

According to Bedford website attendance was 2835. Mind you the group behind us were more interested in conversing all through the game even when kicks where being taken - and not conversing quietly. Perhaps I prefer 1000 rugby fans rather than disinterested attendees.

Two heads are better than one!!

thomasmachin: It would appear that if we are to replace the departing players we had better be quick or all the available players will be signed by Ealing ,Coventry and Cornish Pirates! Apr 20, 2018 8:14:16 GMT

donnyknightsfan: that was absolutely dire today almost from start to finish apart from a spell in the 2nd half when we looked OK. players don't look motivated enough to me. they need a kick up the backside. the next two games v Bedford and Irish look a tough ask now. Oct 6, 2018 21:04:32 GMT

rodders: A bit random this one but are any Knights fans travelling to the Jersey game on Friday 1st March flying from East Midlands on the 10.55 flight out. 2 of us are looking for a lift to East Midlands airport unexpectedly. Happy to share costs of travel Feb 17, 2019 19:52:21 GMT