Blues climb to second ahead of Cov showdown

By TOM EASTMAN

Bedford ………… 45pts

Tries: Matavesi 22, 39; Tuilagi 28, Howard 57, Adamson 73, Smith 79

Conversions: Maisey 23, 29, 40, 58, 74, 80 Penalties: Maisey 5

Ampthill ……….. 24pts

Tries: Bracken 46, Jackson 53, Beaton 60 Conversions: Johnson 47, 54, 61

Penalties: Johnson 3

BEDFORD Blues rose to second in the Championship table for the first time this season as they retained local bragging rights with a second victory of the campaign against Ampthill.

Another classic in the affectionately known ‘Battle of Bedfordshire’ and it was Mike Rayer’s men who led on the scoreboard from the moment Will Maisey levelled up Louie Johnson’s penalty in the opening five minutes.

Bedford ran in six tries in total to leapfrog Coventry ahead of the epic showdown between the two sides at Goldington Road on Friday.

Director of rugby Rayer said: “It was a hell of a game. There were times we should have managed things better, but pleased with the end result and how we played in that first half in particular.

“We’ve got to embrace the challenge next week now. Coventry have been a bit of a nemesis to us in recent seasons, but we like playing Friday nights at home so it’s an opportunity for us to give things a real good go.”

Ampthill were good value for money in parts and controlled the opening exchanges. But a reckless high tackle from Wilson Ijeh saw the winger spend 10 minutes in the sin bin and Bedford capitalised.

Joel Matavesi ran in two from close range, while Fred Tuilagi profited off the back of a driving maul for a 24-3advantage at half-time.

Again the visitors played their part after the break but this time it paid dividends on the scoreboard too as they closed the gap to seven points on two separate occasions;

TEAMS

BEDFORD: James 7, Worley 6 (Titherington 74, 5), Le Bourgeois (C) 6, Matavesi 8, Adamson 6, Maisey 8, Lennon 6 (Day 52, 5); Jack 6 (Conway 53, 6), Herman 6 (Wright 52, 6), Heffernan 6 (Hay 74, 6), Ward 5 (Howard 52, 7), Woolford 6 (Smith 64, 6), Frost 6, Brown 5, Tuilagi 7 (King 61, 5)

AMPTHILL: Barton 6, Ijeh 4 (Cullen 74, 5), Spink 5 (Hallett 40, 6), Strachan (C) 6, Jackson 7, Johnson 7, Bracken 6; Crean 6 (Courtney 56, 6), Adejimi 6 (Thompson 50, 5), Beaton 6 (Johnston 64, 6), Sylvester 5 (Thomas 74, 5), Pearce-Paul 6, Eke 5, Rylands 5 (Blackmore 64, 6), Ravuvu 6 Not used: Morgan

REFEREE: Jack Makepeace

ATTENDANCE: 3,317

Star player

Joel Matavesi -Bedford

Charlie Bracken used his quick feet to get to the line, Brandon Jackson bulldozed his way over and Harvey Beaton was clinical when with the ball metres out.

A yellow card for Bedford didn’t help their cause as Alex Woolford was pinged for an accumulation of team penalties, but the hosts always kept their noses in front and when back to 15, took the game away late on for a full five pointer.

Joe Howard, as he has done in recent weeks, made the perfect impact off the bench before Dean Adamson scored his customary try, a 10th against his former side from battles in recent seasons.

George Smith put the icing on the cake with a neat carry to the line with the final passage of the game, both kickers finishing proceedings with a rare perfect record off the tee.