Adamson leads from the front to keep Bedford in the running

■By MICK JACOBS

Bedford ………….27pts

Tries: Adamson 7, 78; Conway 13, Worley 29

Conversions: Maisey 14, 30

Penalties: Maisey 50

Caldy ……………… 14pts

Tries: Kilcourse 21, Gallagher 32

Conversions: Barker 22, 33

DEAN Adamson became Bedford Blues' joint second greatest try scorer as Mike Rayer's side continued their top four charge with a four-try bonus point victory on home soil.

Bedford were made to work hard for their five points as Caldy came with a pre-meditated game plan – and almost executed it to perfection by getting the large home crowd agitated and nervy as the game drew to a close.

Adamson's brace moved him up to 126 tries for the club, while Matt Worley and Joey Conway also got in on the act as Blues celebrated Ladies Day with an important win in their special pink jersey.

Caldy responded with tries from Matt Kilcourse and Matt Gallagher, but it wasn't enough to take a point back with to The Wirral.

Adamson said: “To go level with club legends like Budge Rogers and Barrie Williams is a real honour, and to do it on my 175th club appearance makes it all the more special.

“Long may it continue because I love it at Bedford and it's always fun to chuck the ball around at Goldington Road.

“We've been working really hard on our defence and it's paying dividends now. That gave us the platform to go and do what we do, and great to get those two tries on a personal note.”

For the first time in a home Championship game this season, Bedford scored first and raced into a 12-0 lead before Caldy had

even got out of first gear. Kilcourse's try closed the gap, before both sides exchanged a score in the final moments of the 40 for a Bedford 19-14 half-time lead.

Blues resisted wave after wave of Caldy attack before Maisey's penalty gave them a healthy lead again.

After throwing the kitchen sink at it, Caldy left space in the back field and Bedford took advantage as Adamson lifted the roof off a raucous Goldington Road to seal victory and an important victory in the battle for the Top Four.

Blues assistant coach Jim Henry said: “We knew we were going to have our work cut out in the second half going up the hill, wind against us, but the boys dug in and got the result.

“There's a lot of confidence within the group. We want to be doing less of the defensive work obviously, there were a lot of penalties today, but on the whole a very positive place to be.”