Blues have no answer to Chinnor power show

■By JEAN BULL

Bedford ………….33pts

Tries: Herman 8, Adamson 21, Titherington 47, Bennett 50, Lennon 80

Conversions: Maisey 9, 22, 51; Dufficy 80

Chinnor …………..52pts

Tries: Walker 3, 40, 55; Watson 18, Metcalf 22, Currie 36, Cave 45, Simpson 65

Conversions: Richman 19, 23, 40, 46, 56, 66

AN Alun Walker hat-trick inspired Chinnor to their first-ever victory at Goldington Road as they shocked last season’s finalists Bedford Blues with a commanding away victory.

Both sides came into this fixture looking for their first victory of the new season.

And it never seemed in too much doubt who would take the spoils once Nick Easter’s men pulled away on the scoreboard towards the end of the first half.

The visitors led from the front and made use of their driving maul to submit Bedford under immense pressure from the forwards, and Mike Rayer’s men couldn’t come up with too many answers.

Blues had their moments, led by stand-in captain Michael Le Bourgeois, but have again started a season slowly coming out of the blocks and remain rooted to the foot of the table.

There were frantic moments throughout, including five tries in the opening 22 minutes, starting with Walker’s first of the afternoon barely before most spectators had taken their seats.

Bedford responded with their own maul attack to see Tommy Herman over, but from there, it was only ever Chinnor able to replicate what is starting to become a lethal weapon right the way across Elior Champ Rugby.

Tom Watson and Jack Metcalf both finished well-worked moves for Chinnor that started within their own half.

But this is Goldington Road and Dean Adamson was always going to get his name on the scoresheet – his 100th try at the place he has called home for 12 years. A debut try from Ben Currie and Walker’s second put Chinnor in at the break with a 31-14 advantage.

And they exploited their decision to go down the infamous slope in the second half with Will Cave’s dabble for the line.

Credit to Bedford, because they mustered a response and closed the gap to 12 points thanks to Lucas Titherington and a first in club colours from James Bennett.

But when they lost Fred Tuilagi to the sin bin for a team offence, Chinnor got to work as Walker completed his hat-trick and Richie Simpson also got in on the act.

A late salvo from James Lennon in reply was too little, too late for the home side who failed to secure a point, nor stop Chinnor getting all five.

History for Chinnor, history for Adamson… but some soul searching to do for Bedford.