October 2014

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Following Bedford Blues home defeat last Saturday, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer is looking for a response from his players this weekend against Doncaster Knights in what promises to be a challenging test against the pool leaders.

Bedford lost out to Cross Keys in their first home match of the British and Irish Cup last Saturday after a fast-paced first quarter left them 19-3 up, but a strong second half fight-back from the Welshmen saw them claim a last minute try to clinch victory.

Bedford Blues’ annual Fireworks extravaganza will be held on Friday 7th November at the Goldington Road site with gates opening at 6pm for an action packed, fun filled evening of entertainment, sponsored by Progress Skoda.

As well as the gates opening, the much anticipated funfair and Club bars will be open from 6pm leaving plenty of time to take a wander around the ground and soak up the family atmosphere at this traditional town event before the first display starts at 7pm. The children’s display is the perfect winter warmer for kids of all ages, ahead of the main event.

With the Blues away to Doncaster this weekend, Blues supporters have the chance to support the Blues Academy, when they take on the Oxford University U21 XV on Saturday, at Goldington Road, Kick Off 2.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

This is the second encounter this season against the students.  The Blues beat the University in their away fixture three weeks ago by 32pts – 14.   Oxford are in preparation for their annual Varsity game at Twickenham against Cambridge University on December 11th.

With the Blues away to Doncaster this weekend, Blues supporters have the chance to support the Blues Academy, with the next two home games at Goldington Road being Academy games against Oxford University and Wasps.

First up on Saturday October 25th, the Academy take on the Oxford University U21 XV for their second encounter this season.  Oxford are in preparation for the annual Varsity game at Twickenham against Cambridge University on 11th December.  The Blues beat the University in their away fixture three weeks ago by 32pts – 14.   The game is at Goldington Road, with Kick Off at 2.30 pm.  The bar is open, and admission is free.

Bedford Blues have today welcomed the decision of the British & Irish Cup Organising Committee to award them the result of the opening pool game against Cornish Pirates following a breach of the rules.
 
During the game on Sunday 12th October at the Mennaye Field, one of the Cornish Pirates props suffered an unfortunate injury and could no longer compete in the game. As the Pirates had already used their allocated front row replacements, this meant that the game had to revert to uncontested scrums and the home side would have to withdraw a player and resume the game with 14 men.

With Saints, one of the RFU funded Academies, fielding a number of contracted players, with England U18 and Scotland U20 experience, it was always going to be a tough day for the Blues.  Centre Rory Hutchinson appeared for Scotland U20 in the World Cup in New Zealand this summer, and hooker James Fish, flanker Lewis Ludlum and centre Harry Mallinder (all 6’5” of him) have recently returned from the England U18 unbeaten tour of South Africa, which included a win over South Africa.  Bedford gave a great account of themselves with the Saints taking a 17pts – 12 half time lead, before running out as winners by 34pts – 22.

For a second week in a row, Bedford Blues were undone by a last minute converted try to lose in the British & Irish Cup by a solitary point, this time to Welsh Principality side Cross Keys who won 22-23 on Ladies Day at Goldington Road.

The result was even more disappointing as the Blues were leading 19-3 after 16 minutes thanks to tries from Dean Adamson, James Pritchard and Nick Fenton-Wells, but the visitors from Wales fought back and kept on going until their skipper Leon Andrews crossed over the line two minutes into stoppage time before Dorian Jones coolly converted to seal the victory.

Just one week on from their agonising British and Irish Cup opening round defeat against Cornish Pirates the Blues are looking to bounce straight back as they welcome Welsh Principality side Cross Keys to Goldington Road tomorrow afternoon for what is also the annual Ladies Day game.

Bedford have enjoyed some cracking encounters against Welsh sides in this competition and Saturday will be no exception with the added spice of former Cross Keys man Steffan Jones now turning out for the Blues.

Ladies Day returns to Goldington Road this Saturday as Bedford Blues prepare to take on Welsh qualifiers Cross Keys in their first home match of the British and Irish Cup with 2 for 1 entry for all ladies on the day.

A reminder that gates open at 12 noon leaving plenty of time to take full advantage of the complimentary rosé and canapés available for all ladies on arrival to the marquee before 2:30pm (while stocks last).

You can watch two Blues games for the price of one this Saturday, October 18th.

The Blues Academy are in action first when they welcome the Northampton Saints Academy. The game kicks off at 12 noon at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barker’s Lane, Bedford, MK41 9SB. Blues supporters can watch the Academy take on Saints (admission is free) and still get to Goldington Road to enjoy the Ladies Day, and Happy Hour, prior to the Blues B&I Cup home game with Cross Keys, which kicks off at 3.00 pm.

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