Hammond keen to find winning form

By BEN JAYCOCK

PREVIEW…

Nottingham v Bedford

Today. Kick-off 3pm, Lady Bay

CRAIG Hammond is hoping his Nottingham team can put their ‘frustrating' season to one side and return to winning ways against in-form Bedford.

Bedford and Nottingham have a long established history since a first ever meeting in 1893 and have ramped things up significantly since the return of Championship action after Covid with some pulsating fixtures.

The two sides are averaging well over 60 points and eight tries a game in thousand jubilant Caldy up the mood. “For Caldy recent times and will be looking to again put on a show at Lady Bay with a large crowd expected.

Nottingham are 10th in the table and despite a spirited performance, they suffered their 10th loss of the season last time out, 41-21 to Ealing.

Hammond said: “A couple of weeks ago we got a good win against Richmond which built our confidence and then had a good hit out against Ealing where we showed great fight and big improvements.

“We're up against it this week, Bedford are a top four team for a reason and have shown consistency all year. We've got five games left of what has been a frustrating season but the boys are working hard. We look forward to seeing how we go, we'll just need a bit of luck.”

Hammond is full of admiration for a Bedford side that are unbeaten at home this season and came into this weekend inside the top four.

He added: “The link with Northampton Saints has come into fruition and now they have a good balance of their players and Northampton's. The brand of rugby they're playing is brilliant. When I played here years ago, Bedford were still doing the same thing scoring some good tries. I think they're a bit more structured now with a strong kicking game and set piece which makes them hard to beat.”

Hammmond has made four changes as Charlie Thacker comes into the midfield for Javiah Pohe, while in the pack Xavier Valentine displaces Dan Richardson and George Cox starts at No.8 ahead of Josh Poullet.

Bedford director of rugby Mike Rayer has made two changes to the side which beat Richmond 39-5 last time out. Tom Lockett and Will Maisey return to the starting XV, while Jack Hughes could make a 50th club appearance from the bench.