Maisey holds his nerve to snatch it for Bedford

■By CHRIS ROGERS

Caldy ……………..26pts

Tries: Robinson 6, 70; Wilkinson 17, 45 Conversions: Barker 7, 18, 46

Bedford …………29pts

Tries: Jack 3, Frost 27, Lennon 30, James 38 Conversions: Maisey 4, 31, 39

Penalty: Maisey 80+2

BEDFORD Blues survived the conditions and 20 minutes with 14 men as they saw off Caldy to end the season with a seventh successive bonus point victory.

Mike Rayer’s men held a 14-point lead at the break but were in danger of completely falling apart at the seams after the break, with Dean Adamson’s first ever red card and some poor decision making pulling the home sides level with a couple of minutes to play.

But their scrum, which has been one of their best weapons this season, earned a penalty with the clock in the red and Will Maisey stepped up with nerves of steel to slot the points with a huge hurling wind causing problems.

Blues assistant coach Jim Henry said: “We got there in the end, fair play to the boys because we really had to fight hard with the wind in the second half. Down to 14 men but found a way to get over the line. A few words were said at half-time and the boys responded. We had a good year last year and I was thinking about what the difference has been to take us to the next level, and it’s been that whole club effort. We’ve worked really hard and got what we deserved.”

Bedford struck first through a Jamie Jack pick and go, but were then punished for being rather lazy in defence as Caldy overturned the deficit through scores by Will Robinson and Callum Wilkinson.

As is often the case, Blues just need to ignite the fuse and they were off with some more silky footwork from Louis James giving the fullback his sixth in three games, as well as setting up James Lennon and Luke Frost.

It was a completely different tale after the break as Bedford had to find their defensive grit, and withstand wave after wave of pressure.

Caldy eventually made inroads following Adamson’s dismissal, the first yellow for a dump tackle which was upgraded for backchat, and Wilkinson and Robinson both got their second.

It looked like only one winner, but Bedford somehow found a way and Maisey’s composure under pressure sent them into rapture.

The Championship‘s leading marksman for 24/25, Maisey said: “We’ve gone through this season doing things the hard way. Thankfully the kick went through at the end, but the forwards set the platform.”