1st XV News

Clifton Lane continues to be a thorn in Bedford Blues side as Mike Rayer's men went down 34-19 to Rotherham Titans on Saturday afternoon.

If this is to be the Titans last season at Clifton Lane as reported in their local media then there may be a few who won't miss it given that Bedford haven't won here since 2012.

This game did have everything though. Rain, hail, snow, wind and sunshine. Rotherham got off to a perfect start when the ball was stripped from a Bedford maul and made its way to Rotherham hooker Tom Cruse who was able to gallop up the other end of the pitch to score in the first minute with Barrett converting.

Bedford Blues have started 2015 in fine form but they know that they will have to be at their best if they are to take anything from Rotherham Titans on Saturday afternoon.
 
Trips to Clifton Lane haven’t been too fruitful of late and you have to go back to March 2012 for the Blues last win there when tries from Ollie Dodge, Don Barrell, Josh Bassett and Darryl Veenendaal helped Bedford to a 19-32 in the play-offs.
 
Bedford have enjoyed two wins out of two this year when they overcame Moseley a fortnight ago before turning over Doncaster Knights with a final minute try at Goldington Road last weekend.
 

Last Saturday's brilliant win against Doncaster Knights saw Bedford Blues move into the top half of the Greene King IPA Championship table with further signs of improvement ahead of a testing trip to fifth placed Rotherham Titans this weekend.

The Blues continued their impressive start to 2015 as they overcame a strong Knights side to seal a last minute 35-29 victory with the foundations built on another fantastic set-piece. Two ever-present features on this new front-row powerhouse are Blues forwards Charlie Clare and James Currie who spoke to the official Club website ahead of what promises to be a titanic clash upfront against last season’s Championship semi-finalists.

In just over nine months Rugby World Cup 2015 will come to Milton Keynes, the nearest host venue to Bedford Blues, and they need your help to make the whole event extra special.

In the centre of MK, Campbell Park will host the Fanzone between October 1-11 and there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at this special event. You can find out more about getting involved at an information event being held from 6.30pm – 8pm on Thursday 15 January at Campbell Park Pavilion. The Parks Trust staff will be on hand to tell you about what’s planned for the Fanzone and to explain the many different volunteering roles that are available.

Bedford Blues maintained their unbeaten start to 2015 but they left it very late to overcome a determined Doncaster Knights side who had led for the majority of the game.

In fact, the winning try came with 15 seconds left on the clock as Jake Sharp found himself out on the right wing to dot down and send the Goldington Road crowd into rapturous applause before James Pritchard tied a bow on the game to convert and make the score 35-29.

Bedford Blues will be hoping to continue the New Year celebrations as they welcome Doncaster Knights to Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Blues got 2015 off to the best possible start with a 15-23 win over Moseley at Billesley Common and Director of Rugby Mike Rayer is hoping that his side can continue their recent good form against a Doncaster team who have already notched up two B&I Cup wins over Bedford this season.
 

Following an eight-point victory over Moseley at Billesley Common on Saturday, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer was left feeling confident of a top six finish at the end of the season with the top four still in sight.

The Blues got 2015 off to a bright start last weekend, running in three tries against the Midlanders to make it an impressive total 17 from their last four matches and Rayer is looking for another solid performance this Saturday against Doncaster.

The Club are pleased to bring supporters another reason to enjoy a glass of fizz and good food as our in-house caterer Nos, in partnership with the Followers, will be holding a Champagne and Stew Evening on Friday 16th January in aid of The Sick Children’s Trust.

A fun filled night in the Scrum Bar is guaranteed with champagne and nibbles on arrival before Nos’s homemade stew, along with live coverage of the European Champions Cup on the big screen, not forgetting the chance to get your hands on some prizes through the Followers raffle.

Following a fantastic start to 2015 with a superb triumph over Moseley at Billesley Common, Bedford Blues are looking to continue their New Year success as they prepare for another clash with Doncaster Knights at Goldington Road on Saturday 10th January (KO 3pm).

Bedford ran in three tries against their Midlands’ opponents to secure a vital 15-23 away win, making it 17 tries in the last four outings for Mike Rayer’s men, and this Saturday the Blues are seeking the same fate and to continue that fine form when they face the Knights for a second time in front of a home crowd this season.

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that fly half Steffan Jones will be returning to Goldington Road following his involvement with Wales in the HSBC Sevens World Series, and he has now made his loan move a permanent one.
 
Jones, 24, had joined the Blues in the summer on a year long loan move from Newport Gwent Dragons but was recalled by the region in early November before heading off with the National Sevens Team.