1st XV News

It’s the sixth and final round of the British & Irish Cup and Bedford Blues know that they will have to continue with their improvement when the Cornish Pirates visit Goldington Road on Saturday afternoon.
 
Games between the two sides are normally close affairs but when Bedford travelled to Penzance three weeks ago they were on the wrong end of a 65-14 score line. It was an extremely long journey home that weekend, but the Blues have dusted themselves down and are now preparing to put things right on the field.
 

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that ‘£3 Happy Hours’ will continue at Goldington Road this Saturday as Mike Rayer’s men take on Cornish Pirates at the earlier kick-off time of 2:00pm.

With a potential place in the British & Irish Cup quarter finals at stake, supporters may wish to indulge in a Christmas pint to settle pre-game nerves in the Eagle Bar between 12 noon and 1:30pm.

To further enhance supporters’ match day experience and provide a festive treat for of those who arrive early, Wells Eagle IPA, McEwan’s Lager, Young’s London Stout, Wells Eagle Smooth and Somersby Cider will be available at the reduced price of just £3.00 a pint.

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve? Why not join the Bedford Blues Followers Association at Goldington Road for a Roman themed party to kick start 2015 with an amphitheatre of an atmosphere.

A family friendly night is ensured with disco dancing through to the early hours, food available from Nos’s Nosh, a pub quiz, children’s games and a variety of opportunities to win prizes, including a fancy dress competition and 50/50 draw! All proceeds from the evening will be going towards The Sick Children’s Trust.

Bedford avenged their agonising 23-22 British & Irish Cup defeat to Cross Keys at Goldington Road in October with a comprehensive bonus point victory at Pandy Park on Saturday afternoon – and with one game to go hopes of qualifying for the quarter finals are just about alive following the crushing 48-10 victory in South Wales, writes Bedfordshire on Sunday.

Mike Rayer’s men travelled to Wales knowing only an unlikely sequence of results would see them go through as one of the three best pool runners-up, and they did their part thanks to a fine display.

Bedford Blues head back into British & Irish Cup action this weekend with a trip to South Wales to face Cross Keys at Pandy Park.
 
When the two teams met at Goldington Road back in October it was the visitors who took the spoils with a stoppage time try which was converted to give Cross Keys a 22-23 win. Despite losing to Doncaster Knights last Friday, the Blues will be hoping to bounce straight back and gain momentum as they look ahead to a packed Christmas programme.
 

It is with great sadness that the Club has heard and wishes to inform that one of its most famous former players R.H. 'Tich' Haynes has passed away.

Mr. Haynes, more commonly known as 'Tich', played 155 games for the Blues between the years of 1943-54, scoring 597 points along the way. The outside-half made his club debut in the Easter of 1943 and went on to become one of the Club greats with an outstanding partnership with Bedford School scrum-half Murray Fletcher. He later became Team Secretary from 1966-1970, Chairman of Selectors and latterly Club President from 1980-81 before being further recognised as an Honorary Life Member of the Club.

Bedford Blues attempts to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Penzance last weekend were thwarted by a stubborn Doncaster Knights side who all but booked their place in the next round of the British & Irish Cup with a 15-17 win at Goldington Road on Friday night.

Losing 65-14 to Cornish Pirates had been a massive blow and the Blues wanted to give the 2002 fans who came through the Goldington Road gates something to celebrate and while tries from Hayden Thompson-Stringer and Henry Staff were greeted with huge cheers, the boot of Dougie Flockhart meant that the visitors took the spoils.

Bedford Blues are looking to bounce straight back from their Championship defeat at Cornish Pirates when they welcome Doncaster Knights to Goldington Road on Friday evening in the British & Irish Cup.

Bedford still have an outside chance of qualifying for the second round of the British & Irish Cup and they would need a convincing win over the unbeaten Knights to boost that possibility.

Following a disappointing defeat away to Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye, stand in skipper Paul Tupai is determined to right the wrongs from last time out and give Bedford supporters something to celebrate ahead of the Doncaster Knights clash at Goldington Road this Friday (Kick Off 7:45pm).

The Blues suffered a heartbreaking loss last Sunday, running in just two tries against an unstoppable Pirates side playing the best rugby they have produced this season, but this Friday sees Bedford on a revenge mission and the former Samoan international is confident the boys will be out in force in front of a home crowd.

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that the new ‘Happy Hours’ initiative will be continuing this Friday night ahead of the impending British & Irish Cup fixture against Doncaster Knights.

To further enhance supporters’ match day experience and ensure early visitors get the best beer for their buck; Wells Eagle IPA, McEwan’s Lager, Young’s London Stout, Wells Eagle Smooth and Somersby Cider will all be available at the reduced price of just £3.00 a pint.