1st XV News

Bedford Blues annual fireworks display went off with an extra special sparkle this year as thousands of people walked through the Goldington Road gates for an evening they won't forget in a hurry.

Despite a miserable weather forecast, nothing could dampen the spirits as young and old came together to enjoy a true spectacular - and all for just £5. It was without a doubt, one of the finest displays that the club has ever seen.

The club would like to thank everyone who was involved in the organisation of the event along with the thousands of revellers who turned out to enjoy the occasion.

You've seen it in the programme, now we are bringing it to the website! Head to head this week comes courtesy of two of the Blues most talkative players who never fail to deliver. Luke Baldwin is enjoying another season slugging it out with Darryl Veenendaal for the number nine shirt while Mark Atkinson continues his impressive run of form whether it is at centre or fullback. Enjoy.

He-Man cartoon producer Lou Scheimer died this week but if you had to compare yourself to a cartoon character which would it be and why? What about one of your teammates?

LB: I’d have to go for Popeye because he loves spinach and has big arms, just like me.

After pulling on the Blues number seven shirt for the first time in almost a year, Sacha Harding's week got even better when he was invited to player for the Barbarians against the Combined Services in Plymouth next month.

Harding, 30, who suffered a dislocation and break of his ankle during the Championship fixture aganist Leeds on December 2 last year, has been through a long rehabilitation process and completed 50 minutes against Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday afternoon before being replaced by Tom Armes.

The Bedford Rugby Followers Association Fireworks Display is being held this Friday November 1st. and is generally acknowledged to be the best display in this part of the country.

This means we will have a massive clear up job on Saturday morning so we are asking that anyone who can spare an hour or two to please turn up at the ground to give us a hand.

The first team are training at 9am on the main pitch and there is an Academy game vs Nottingham in the afternoon so the main pitch will be the main priority followed by the training pitch and surrounding areas.

Bedford Blues recorded their second win of the season – and the first in the Greene King IPA Championship – as they overcame a determined Ealing Trailfinders side 31-14.

With severe weather warnings on the horizon – and not wanting to quote bedtime stories -  there was plenty of huffing and puffing around Goldington Road but the Blues came out on top with a five try haul which included two apiece for Ollie Dodge and James Pritchard while Mike Le Bourgeois added one into the mix.

Bedford Blues recorded their second win of the season – and the first in the Greene King IPA Championship – as they overcame a determined Ealing Trailfinders side 31-14.

With severe weather warnings on the horizon – and not wanting to quote bedtime stories -  there was plenty of huffing and puffing around Goldington Road but the Blues came out on top with a five try haul which included two apiece for Ollie Dodge and James Pritchard while Mike Le Bourgeois added one into the mix.

Bedford Blues have been rocked by the news that flanker Darren Fox could miss up to three months of the season after breaking his arm during the British & Irish Cup against Llanelli on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the injury, Fox continued playing before having to leave the field with eight minutes remaining on the clock in the Blues first win of the season.

After attending hospital an x-ray revealed a clean break to Fox’s left arm and he underwent surgery earlier this week.

Speaking about the injury, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said:

Friday 16^th August was a special day for new Blues signing Michael Le Bourgeois. After completing his summer move to Bedford he pulled on the famous jersey for the very first time and would open his Goldington Road account against Premiership giants Northampton. Then he met Courtney Lawes!

Not one for shying away from a tackle, Mr Lawes gave Booj both barrels – the video on Youtube went viral with over 210,000 hits (no pun intended) - but the man from Jersey got the pass away, dusted himself down and, more importantly, learnt a little something.

Goldington Road was the location for Bedford Blues to pick up their first win of the season having overcome Llanelli 29-24 in the British & Irish Cup.

Following the game Sam Roberts caught up with back row star Nick Fenton-Wells and slippery centre Brendan Burke to look back at the previous 80 minutes. Here is the interview along with all of the Blues tries from the victory.

For Full Report Click Here...

It took a while to come but the monkey has finally been booted into touch as Bedford Blues recorded their first win of the season against a very resilient Llanelli side in the British & Irish Cup. It was Ladies Day at Goldington Road with 2603 fans in attendance and tries from Charlie Clare, Ollie Dodge, Mike Le Bourgeois, Mike Howard and Neville Edwards ensured a bonus point win for the crowd.

Despite dominating huge chunks of the game, Llanelli kept on sneaking their way back into it but their late rally was a little too late to spoil the Bedford party. For Full Report Click Here...