1st XV News

There are numerous sporting clichés that should never be used in a match report – always play to the whistle, don’t talk back to the referee, they’re in a league of their own  - but on Saturday afternoon the ugliest one of all reared its head. This truly was a ‘game of two halves’...

If Mr Foley hadn’t blown his whistle after 40 minutes then it could have been an extremely good day to be at Goldington Road. Viliami Hakalo had scored one try and set up a second while James  Pritchard converted both and Jake Sharp dropped a goal – not bad being 17-0 up against the league leaders.

It is a return to action at Goldington Road this weekend as Bedford Blues welcome league leaders Worcester Warriors through the gates on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues will be looking to bounce straight back from a disappointing defeat away to Jersey last weekend and they couldn’t face a bigger task than hosting the Championship leaders who haven’t tasted defeat since Round One.

Bedford Blues return to Goldington Road this Saturday 21st February as they prepare for one of their toughest challenges yet against league leaders Worcester Warriors (Kick Off 3pm).

The Blues suffered a disappointing defeat away at Jersey last weekend and Mike Rayer’s men will be looking to rectify their mistakes with a stand-out performance against former Premiership side Warriors following Bedford’s strong performance against Plymouth Albion last time out on their own paddock. The support of a roaring 16th man will no doubt be needed if the Blues are to have a chance of exacting revenge over Dean Ryan’s side.

Blues new recruit Baden Kerr has bedded into life at Goldington Road, securing the starting full-back jersey in his first two weeks at the Club following a long break due to injury, but is not content with just earning his place and intends to help the Blues elevate their current league position.

In Kerr’s debut performance the Blues eased passed Plymouth Albion, scoring five tries, in front of a home crowd to seal both the win and bonus point before falling to a rather disappointing result on their travels against Jersey at the weekend.

It’s not every day that you get to have dinner with an England Rugby World Cup winner and former British and Irish Lions captain, but for one evening only Bedford Blues are making that possible as Martin Corry MBE comes to Goldington Road for a Sportsman’s Dinner.

Now retired from the game, Corry has carved out another successful career, becoming one of the most inspirational motivational and performance speakers in the world. Winning five Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups throughout his time on the pitch, the former England and Leicester Tigers skipper has many exciting stories to tell.

Bedford's hopes of a play-off place were dealt a major blow after two tries either side of half-time left Jersey as the team more likely to be chasing down the top four, writes Bedfordshire on Sunday.

The Channel Islanders leapfrogged the visiting Blues thanks to their win with Mike Rayer’s men left to lament on their third Championship defeat in four matches against their hosts.

Having shared six tries and three yellow cards in their last meeting, when Bedford recorded a narrow 25-20 win at Goldington Road, this game was always going to be a low scoring affair with the weather playing more than a significant part in the outcome.

Bedford Blues will be crossing the Channel as they prepare for a Valentine’s Day rendezvous with Jersey on Saturday afternoon at St Peter (Kick Off 3pm)..

A patient and controlled performance against Plymouth Albion last weekend saw the Blues run in five tries during a bonus point victory over the Championship’s bottom side and a return to winning ways for Bedford.

Blues hooker Charlie Clare admits he is looking forward to the prospect of playing against former employers Jersey this weekend, but insists he will have no time for niceties come kick-off.

Clare spent less than a year on loan at the St Peter ground as he looked to recover from a long-term shoulder injury, before signing for the Blues in 2013.

And despite the fond memories of Island life he has from his time spent with this weekend’s opponents, the 23-year-old front-row forward believes that the ferocity of the battle upfront will be his and his team-mates main focus on Saturday afternoon.

Beer, beer, we want more beer, all the boys are cheering, get the… and on that note it is time to announce the first Rugby and Beer festival taking place at Goldington Road next month.

While there is nothing better than watching Bedford Blues playing rugby, the experience can always be improved and on the weekend of Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March, Blues fans will be able to enjoy top-class rugby alongside some of the finest beers available from our good friends at Charles Wells Brewery.

With the Greene King Championship season reaching the final third, the RFU bring you a summary of a potential defining Round 15 as Bedford Blues continue their hunt for a potential play-off position.

It is Worcester who can confirm their place in the end-of-season play-offs with seven rounds of the regular season to go if they beat fifth-placed Rotherham with a bonus point on Saturday – and ensure the Titans leave Sixways empty-handed, but if the Blues trip Jersey up with a bonus point victory Dean Ryan’s men may have to wait a couple more weeks.