1st XV News

Bedford Blues are pleased to announce that Nick Fenton-Wells has been named captain for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season.
 
The South African, who recently made the permanent switch from Saracens to Bedford Blues, will take over from fullback James Pritchard who has been skipper at Goldington Road for the past four seasons.
 
Speaking about the appointment, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “First and foremost I want to thank Pritch for his tenure as captain. He has been a true professional throughout and a fine leader of the team who has always let his performances do the talking.

Bedford Blues fullback Aaron Morris is determined to be a success at the IRB Junior World Championships in New Zealand next month writes Ted Kemplen of the Bedford Times & Citizen.

Morris, a product of Bedford since the age of five, was named in the squad for the tournament by former Blues scrum half and backs coach Nick Walshe, which sees England kick off thier title defence against Italy on June 2 before facing Australia on June 6 and Argentina on June 10.

On his international future, he said: "Of course we all aspire to play at the highest leel we can.

The future of Bedford Blues was the subject of conversation at Goldington Road on Tuesday evening as some of the town’s most prominent business minds were invited to the club.

As mentioned at the AGM in March, local business persons were invited to the club for an informal meal and a chat to discuss a succession plan for when the current chairman, Geoff Irvine, steps down at the end of the 2015/16 season.  The meeting was well attended and there was a frank exchange of views.

The rebuilding process at Goldington Road continues to gather pace as Bedford Blues confirm the capture of four further players for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season. 
 
Director of Rugby Mike Rayer has signed two more props - James Currie from Leeds and Tom Williams from Leicester Lions - while fly half Steffan Jones joins from Newport Gwent Dragons and back rower Daryl Dyer makes the move from near neighbours Ampthill. 
  

The bucket collection held on Saturday (at the Jersey game) to raise funds for this seasons Followers chosen charity the East Anglian Air Ambulance raised the excellent sum of £1,128.08  
 
This is a fantastic result and massive thanks to all those who contributed.

Many thanks also to all those who helped organise and take buckets around etc. Thanks also to the Club for providing the opportunity to collect for such a great cause.

If anyone would like further information about the EAAA, please check out their web site:www.eaaa.org.uk

Andy Cobley – Followers Chairman

Joe Vandermolen picked up the coveted Bedford Blues Players' Player of the Season award at the Former Players Association Dinner on Friday night.

Throughout the season, Blues players had been asked at the end of each game who the stand out player was and when all of the votes were counted it was the big number eight who led the field with Nick Fenton-Wells in second place and Gloucester bound Mark Atkinson in third.

Bedford Blues have continued to add to their squad for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season by signing two new players as well as extending the stay of a front row favourite.
 
Tighthead prop Phil Boulton has signed a new 12 month contract at Goldington Road while the Blues also welcome back former centre Henry Staff from Rosslyn Park as well as clinching the signing of prop Camilo Parilli-Ocampo from Ealing Trailfinders.
 

Goldington Road was bathed in sunshine for the Blues final match of the season. Jersey were incredibly fired up as they would face relegation if they did not win, it was going to be a tough contest! The Visitors started the game with an early 3-15 lead thanks to tries by James Voss and Nick Griffiths, one successfully converted by Aaron Penberthy, also scoring the earlier penalty. Bedford are nothing if not determined, so after a few close attempts they came back with a brilliant try by Harry Wells, and a conversion by James Pritchard.

Following the highs of last season, the current campaign has finished with the Blues tasting home defeat to Jersey who secured their own Championship status thanks to a bonus point 31-41 victory in front of 2659 fans.

It was certainly a back and forth encounter with the visitors streaking into a 3-15 lead thanks to a penalty and tries from James Voss (converted) and Nick Griffiths before a quick fire double from Harry Wells and Ollie Dodge gave Bedford the lead after James Pritchard added the extras to both. Aaron Penberthy – who kicked 21 points in total – added a penalty and then converted Drew Locke’s try to make it 17-25 at the break.

Bedford Blues will be bidding a fond farewell to two of the clubs stalwarts after Saturday's final Greene King IPA Championship game against Jersey at Goldington Road.
 
After amassing 20 years of service between them to the Blues, Sacha Harding and Brendan Burke will be saying goodbye at the end of the season as they play their final game in front of the Goldington Road faithful.