Well what a 2016 it has been! It kicked off with a 31-19 home win against London Scottish in the Championship, included a huge 64-20 victory over London Welsh, we saw 100 points being scored in an enthralling game with Cornish Pirates and had plenty of thrills and spills along the way. Simon Hutchinson takes a look back at his three highlights from the year just gone.

Now before I start, I just want to be clear that these are MY favourite three moments of the past 12 months. They aren't my only ones as there have been some great ones both on and off the field - I have the pleasure of interviewing Mike Howard at least once a year for the programme!!! Have a read, see what you think and then let us know your favourite moments on Twitter (@BedfordBluesRFC) or on our Facebook page.

1. REACHING THE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS

I’m sure that no one needs reminding of the infamous Rugby Paper article in which former Rotherham supremo Lee Blackett had earmarked the Blues for the drop. Following two seasons of disappointment in which Bedford finished tenth and ninth, you could perhaps (if you squinted) see Lee’s thinking, but relegation? Really?

No was the short answer. Bedford kicked off the season with a bonus point win over Bristol in Bristol and didn’t look back. The Blues played with freedom and vigour and were pinching wins by the odd point or two (who can forget Steffan Jones’ penalty at Ealing). 

Yes, there were defeats along the way, but a solid Christmas and New Year saw Bedford at the right end of the table and pushing for fourth place and ultimately, it was that 54-46 win over the Cornish Pirates at Goldington Road that inched us ahead of Jersey (their defeat to Ealing also helped a tad as well).

The result was three games on the bounce against Bristol (having already played three times in the league and cup). The final league game of the season went Bristol’s way, but Bedford had exceeded expectations by finishing fourth in the league and setting up a semi-final against Andy Robinson’s men.

Bristol had learnt a lot over this, and previous, campaign and set about snubbing out the Blues during the two-legged semi-final. Despite the Blues best efforts, they just couldn’t break down Bris who won the semi-final and then gained promotion to the Premiership.

Regardless of the semi-final result, Mike Rayer’s men had done themselves proud and reminded everyone just what can be done with a part-time team with a very professional attitude.

2. BOXING DAY AGAINST JERSEY

I’ve been privileged to spend many great Boxing Day’s either at Goldington Road or at another Championship ground. My favourite was without doubt that cold day back in 2010 when the Blues faithful turned up before the game to remove four inches of snow from the pitch so the game could take place. A rip-roaring game followed as tries from Sacha Harding, Alex Rae and two for Handre Schmidt along with James Pritchard’s trusted boot helped the Blues to a 39-22 win over Bris whose only try came from Mako Vunipola (whatever happened to him?).

Six years on from that game, Bedford Blues recorded their highest ever Championship attendance of 4621 as they welcomed Jersey Reds to Goldington Road. The visitors have been somewhat a thorn in the side of Bedford over recent encounters so the outcome of the game would have been anyone’s guess. What was certain was that festive cheer coupled with a sunny, yet chilly, afternoon turned out to be a glorious day of rugby.

The game was end-to-end with both sides more than happy to run when required and utilise their forwards in destructive fashion. Dean Adamson opened the scoring with Myles Dorrian converting, before Ross Adair replied and Sam Katz converted to level things for the Reds. A fine kick up the field saw Adamson scoring again and Dorrian added the extras. But a yellow card for Josh Buggea saw Jersey turn the screw and they added their second try through Sami Fisilau with Katz hitting a good conversion. Dorrian put Bedford ahead with a penalty but the Reds went in ahead when Kuki Maafu scored and Katz converted.

Tom Farrell put Bedford back in front with a try by the posts, but Dorrian’s conversion was rundown. Katz hit a penalty to inch his side ahead before Dorrian sent a peach of a grubber through for Mike Le Bourgeois to score making it 27-24. But back came Jersey who levelled with another Katz penalty before their driving maul went over with James Freeman score the converted try and with ten on the clock, Katz chipped over another penalty to make it 27-37.

As hard as Bedford tried, they couldn’t break through the stubborn Jersey defence until the 78th minute, when wave after wave of attack finally saw Matt Gallagher in space and the fullback dotted down to make it a five point game. Hearts were in mouths when Katz stepped up for a relatively simple looking penalty but he pulled it wide and Bedford had one more chance. One that took! 

Bedford – with the crowd well and truly behind them – were in the ascendancy deep into stoppage time when a penalty went their way at the scrum. Replacement scrum half Tom James took the tap and go to get things moving and the Blues seemed to step up another gear as Sharp, Le Bourgeois and Farrell linked up before feeding Gallagher who streaked clear before playing in George Perkins who had the speed and agility to arch his run and dot down under the posts. Sharp then had the honour of putting the icing on the cake with a straight forward conversion which sent the crowd into raptures.

An amazing afternoon!!!

3. A WONDERFUL TEAM TRY
There were some fantastic tries scored over the past year and I’m sure everyone has their favourite. Mine came on New Year’s Eve at the Madejski Stadium as Bedford took on league leader London Irish. Trailing 29-14, the game looked beyond the Blues, but their never-give-up attitude was clear for all to see as they scored a wonderful try that went through a monumental amount of phases and involved almost every player getting their hands on the ball.

It only happened a few days ago, but I must have watched this try more than a dozen times (and not just during the editing process). Why? Sheer awe I guess. It starts with Tom Whiteley taking a tap penalty and the Blues running from within their own half. Four passes and George Perkins is off down the right wing before being stopped in the Exiles half. The forwards pile in in determined fashion and the ball is soon recycled back over to the left wing where Jason Hill makes yards before going to ground for another ruck. A long looping pass sees the Byron Hodge capture the ball and take a hit, but he sets the ball up and Whiteley orchestrates the next phase of the attack with Mike Le Bourgeois the next man to put his body on the line. Despite pressure from Blair Cowan, Bedford continue to attack through Tom Farrell, Matt Gallagher and Hill, again, who pumps his legs to get a maul moving on. Whiteley, Myles Dorrian, Le Bourgeois combine with Justin Blanchet crunching through. Whiteley, Ed Taylor, Dorrian, Blanchet, Le Bourgeois, then Perkins who spots a gap. Mike Howard, Hodge and Ed Taylor have his back before Whiteley gets things moving again. Jacob Fields, Le Bourgeois, Farrell or Gallagher (I just can’t tell) and Dorrian all punch through the defence before the canny Camilo picks up the ball and dots down from a yard out and gets a deserved pat on the back for his effort while Howard pumps his fist in the air and everyone takes in a huge gulp of much needed air.

Words don’t do it justice, take a look HERE. 

Here’s to a fantastic 2017 – COME ON YOU BLUES!!!